#i know nothing about horse shows so uh

[llondonfog]

prompt for silver's six sentence birthday bash:

lilia attends one of silver and bek’s show jumping exhibitions for the equestrian club, and it takes every fiber of his being to not jump up out of his seat and start cheering over every little thing they do (the audience is asked to remain quiet and still during horse shows so as to not spook the horses)

🎉SILVER'S SIX SENTENCE BIRTHDAY BASH🎉 | closed!

The showcase is breath-taking; during the pause between teams, several audience members murmur in respectful tones of Roseheart's prowess at the reins, which had been long discussed for years leading up to this moment, and the scores clearly lean in his favor despite it being only his second year commanding the illustrious Night Raven College team— Beyond the Briars.

Beside them, Lilia sighs and smooths out the crinkles in his program from where he had been clenching it tightly, a well of praise trapped in his throat at Silver's gentle behest for his cooperative silence from the night prior. It's hardly fair— in the opposite stands, he can see Dr. Rosehearts sitting stiffly alongside the beaming Zigvolts, as well as a smattering of other parents besieged and bewildered by the sycophantic charm of Crowley.

How he wishes he could join them.

How he wishes he could stand before them all and throw a dramatic finger down at the boy bringing up the rear of his club, and boom with pride for the world to see how the son of General Lilia Vanrouge handles a horse better than any soldier he fought beside in seven hundred years.

So caught in his thoughts, he almost misses the anticipatory stirring in the pitch of the crowd's voice. Despite it being the end of the exhibition, the last of the NRC participants lingers for a moment on the field while the rest of the club departs, a certain pause in the hold of his posture. After a beat, his dapple grey stallion swings its brilliant head around and trots with a proud and easy gait to the middle of the arena, mystifying all in attendance.

Is this to be another showcase? One final display of stunning showmanship to solidify their placement as the top performing team?

The rider and his equine partner pause in the midst of the field, pivoting with grace towards the eastern corner where, to the stunned and hushed awe of the crowd, they perform an elegant bow mirrored by both human and horse alike. The pose is held for a moment, then two, then three, and at last with the same quiet grace, the stallion straightens himself, allowing the young man to gently point his head, and they exit the grounds. They leave only a stunned silence behind them, and that quickly erupts into frenzied glee as soon as the pair disappears from view.

Who are they kneeling towards? the whispers excitedly travel. Is there a dignity in attendance, who could they be showing such deference to?

Lilia's nerveless fingers tremble as he smooths over his program once more, the ache in his heart rivaling the ache in his cheeks from the smile threatening to split it in two.

"Well done, child," he murmurs, ignoring the odd thickness in his throat. "Well done, indeed."

Sorry Silver— it seems your papa couldn't keep to his promise this time either.

[blastoqueen]

Sunrise.

Chapter 5

Rating: Teen and Up

Relationships: Noa x Mae (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes)

Content warnings: None

Comments: English is not my first language. I recommend you to watch the deleted scene where Noa and Mae talk about dreams and the telescope, it's not too important but it gives a tiny little bit of context for a short paragraph in the story. Enjoy!

Anaya woke up in the morning with more energy than usual and went to the main tower to look for his best friend, hoping they could do some climbing later, maybe he could convince Noa to go beyond the valley and explore a little more the ancient Echoes civilizations. However, when he arrived at Noa´s room, he found nothing but his empty litter and Dar, who was just waking up.

“Dar!” Anaya said, feeling a little invasive “Good morning. Noa?”

The female ape yawned deeply and scratch her belly.

“Dar?”

“Oh, Anaya, I don´t know” she said uninterested, yet calm; getting up to start her day.

“You… not worried?”

“Why would I? Noa… old enough. Not a baby. Probably… out”

Anaya left the tower, feeling a little worried. Ever since the kidnapping, he started to feel uneasy, like he should be alert and ready to fight. When he couldn’t find his friends, he felt this tight in his stomach.

“It´s called anxiety” Noa explain when they were settling their home again. Anaya was brave enough to express his feelings to his leader, hoping he could give him a peace of mind “Raka… told me so”

Soon enough, that word had spread like a quick virus among the apes. Everyone was using it. Noa wondered if they were truly anxious from what happened, or if they were just interested in using a new word.

Walking through the village, Anaya found his best friend sleeping next to the horses, with a blanket over his head, covering him from the sun.

“Noa! What are you… doing?”

The leader woke up and rapidly sat. He looked around him and spotted Anaya looking down on him like he was crazy. Maybe he was.

“What?”

“Why are you here?”

“Oh, not reason” Noa answered, feeling shy and oddly embarrassed. His friend gave him a look “Okey, I was out… all night. When I came back… to tired to go up. Sleep here”

Anaya looked confused.

“Where?”

“Uh… to the lighting dancers’ field”

“What?!” Anaya screamed with excitement, Noa hushed him with his hand and took him to a more private place, just a few meters away from the village.

“Who is… the lucky one?” the eldest asked.

“What?”

“You know”

“I do not”

“Noa. Romantic place. Take girlfriend” Anaya was too excited at this point, giggling and jumping around his friend, happy to be the first to know the details of how the date had gone.

“No, Anaya, it wasn´t… like that” Noa sighed mildly annoyed. Kind of disappointed.

It had been just a sweet moment between Mae and him, it wasn´t a mating ritual, nor a proposal. It was just a night out with a girl he cared about and wanted to show her something nice and pretty.

He didn’t want anybody to think he was trying to marry Mae (´cause he was not). That would be weird. An ape and an animal, getting together? Now way. That was just unnatural, wasn´t it? It would be like marrying a horse. “Except it would not be like that, and you know it” Noa thought. “She has the same features as you. Apes and human… we are not that different” Except they kind of were “But she is smart. She is not like those animals”

“It was just a nice walk”

Anaya snorted at his answer, like it was an obvious lie.

“With… who?”

Noa wondered if he could trust his friend, in a normal situation he would, but Anaya had imagined a whole scenario about a mate and a proposal, he didn’t want him to get his ideas twisted.

“Mae”

The ape stood in silence. The leader couldn’t figure out his expression. It was a mix between shock and something else, maybe fear?

“But I told you… it wasn’t like that” Noa tried to explain, his voice sounded nervous, and he knew that it seemed like he was lying “Really. The Echo never saw the dancers before”

The silence was getting unbearable, he needed to get out of there soon. Acting annoyed and angry, Noa pushed lightly Anaya to the side and started to walk towards the village.

“Wait” Anaya said, “Did she… like the lights?”

Noa turn around and looked at his friend, a kind smile was growing in his face. Noa tried to give him the same gesture, but the anxiety was just too strong.

“Yes, she liked the lights”

“Enjoyed the night? Both”

“Yes, it was nice”

Anaya walked towards his best friend, with open arms and a sympathetic smile, ready to hug the other ape.

“Then… that is all… that matters”

---------

It was a chilly night, not cold, but Mae felt the need to get a blanket to covered herself from the wind. She was getting goosebumps and a slightly runny nose.

She was with a group of apes, sitting in a circle and just telling stories and legends, some were made up and some were real things that happened in the village a while ago. The human was sitting next to Soona and Case, listening to a semi old male ape talking about the time he saw a creature bigger than a horse, with big paws and very fat. He said it attacked his wife, but fortunately they made it to the village and loose the animal on the way. The other apes were making fun of his story, saying he was probably making all up.

Mae supposed the beast he was talking about was a bear, but she stayed silent. She didn’t know exactly why she felt so scared revealing more stuff about the world to the apes. Except she did know.

She was terrified of them sometimes. She could see how they were improving their speech, at least Noa. Mae tried to fake an ape way of speaking, but it was very difficult to pretend and not let difficult words come out of her mouth. It was easier to stay silent. And the reason? She felt like she was teaching them human ways. And that felt like a nightmare came true. Mae saw the evolution among the apes. Spreading.

She learned to be around them, to joke and live a simple life surrounded by the apes. But she felt like crossing a line when it came to “teach” them.

They learned fast. Noa was the fastest. She remembered their conversation at the fire camp when they were after Proximus, how the ape asked about what they saw inside the telescope. She lied and said she didn’t know. Because she was too scared to talk about things only humans on earth knew about.

That same night, she observed Noa, fixing the electric weapon. She was terrified.

“Cold?” said a male voice behind her. It was Noa, holding a blanket in his hands.

“Yeah, a little” Mae answered. The ape sat beside her, squishing between her and Case.

The female ape rolled her eyes and move next to Soona so Noa wouldn’t suffocate her.

Instead of giving Mae the blanket, the male wrapped it around her shoulders. The human girl stood still.

“What are they talking about?” the leader asked in a quiet voice, so he doesn’t interrupt the story telling.

“About everything” Mae said “That old ape saw a beast one time. Nobody believes him”

“Oh, the big paws monster?” Noa snorted.

“Have you heard his story?”

“Yes, he tells it all the time” Noa took a peach from his little bag and started to eat it. Mae noticed how he only eats with his mouth close now. Something he must have learn from the human girl.

“Do you not believe him?” Mae inquired with a rise eyebrow.

“Nobody does”

“Maybe we could—” the girl was interrupted by a different ape, pointing direct at her.

“Okey everyone! Maybe it´s… time… for the Echo… to tell a… story”

Some apes were exciting to hear what the human had to say, while others stayed silent, cautious.

“Oh, I… I don´t really have a story”

“Everyone has a story” Noa said with a grin, he was enjoying watching Mae get embarrassed.

“Can it be made up?”

“Of course”

“Well, uh… there is this story” Mae started “It was very popular in my home. Every kid knew about it. It´s about a princess, well, she wasn´t really one—”

“What is a… princess?” an ape asked from the opposite side of the circle.

“Uh… they used to rule kingdoms—”

Everyone started to murmur, scared, fresh memories of Proximus and the kidnapping.

“But they were nice kingdoms, they were gentle and kind, and showed mercy” That was a lie “Anyway, she was not really a princess, she was just a girl who worked really hard to get what she wanted. On the other hand, there was this boy, who was actually a prince. So, this prince gets turned into a frog by an evil man, and only a true love kiss could turn him back into a human. Then, this girl, found the frog and became very fond of him, they kissed, and the prince turned back into a human, they were happy after that”

There was a moment of complete silence, Mae held her beath, not knowing what to do or expect. Then, a whole lot of questions were asked, all at the same time, the girl tried to answer all of them, without revealing too much or making them confused. That wasn’t the whole story, she skipped a lot of details, but she knew the apes wouldn’t understand the concept of magic or human customs.

“How were… the princess?”

“They were beautiful girls with castles”

“The frog… talked? Like you?”

“Yes, he did. That is how they got to know each other”

After a whole bunch of questions, Noa noticed Mae getting overwhelmed, so he called it a night and send everyone to sleep.

He accompanied the Echo to her room, stopping at the door.

“Goodnight Mae. That was a good story” he said with a smile.

“Thank you”

“Sleep, princess”

[judasgot-it]

i would like to know what hunting dogs would do when they want reader sits on their lap?👀

I am so late to this request but in honor of learning that Tecchou is 6 foot today.... mwah

Scenario: What they do when they want reader to sit on their lap (Jouno, Tachihara, Tecchou) Also slight NSFW elements but like it's mostly jokes. Thought I'd let y'all know ahead of time.

Jouno

He's not one for physical touch usually since it overstimulates him, but once and a while he likes to be warm and would definitely be some weird cheesy guy to use it as a sort of intimidation tactic. Like mafia men who pet cats.

If it's in any sort of public setting, it's because he is well aware you're hot and sexy (everyone who reads this is, because I said so) and loves to cuck people sometimes. He's probably into some shit like that idk

He probably does it in the most obnoxious way possible too - you'd think you're in some dark romantasy with the way he's acting. It's all a part of some evil scheme to piss off some dude that he's mildly annoyed by

Definitely does it once and a while though whenever you're in fancy af places. Dude likes to be praised and has a lot of money, don't tell me he wouldn't love to have someone pretty in his lap calling him nice things

Especially if you're his partner, he wants to show off that he won - he's blind, not stupid. He knows people are jealous.

Pulls you in by the waist and talks as if it's the first time he ever met you. He'll pull out some poetry and shit while tracing your hipbones, he does know how to make you feel enamored.

At home? In private? He probably likes his space but when he wants to have you in his lap, he just does it.

What are you? Too busy for your boyfriend? Nuh-uh. He just takes you. Are you going to punch a gift horse in the mouth?

Jouno has a big ego sometimes, thinking his mere touch is so special.

Although I think it's less of a physical want for touch and more of a security thing. He needs to know that you're there and aren't going to disappear from him

I think sometimes he is a little insecure and he just needs a hug, but it's hard to ask so he just. Pulls you into his chair and buries his face in your shoulder

I also headcanon that he gets cold easily, so once and a while he gives in and just uses you as his portable heater

Tecchou

Is all up in your space all the time, doesn't even realize how it might look to others.

Touching you, kissing you, practically glued to your side and staring at your face. If he's not on a mission, he is obsessed with you no matter what.

If you can't sit next to each other he'll just have you sit on his lap - he has big thighs, he makes a better seat anyway. Or he'll sit on the bench and let you sit on him if it's too cold for you - he's a gentleman, even if it means freezing his own ass off.

Isn't super handsy like Jouno is, he just wraps an arm around your waist to keep you steady and hold you close to him.

Definitely manhandles you though, makes you feel like you weigh nothing when he just casually holds you in one arm like a cat

He's more casual about it, but that's because PDA can be pretty easy for him. As long as he can have one hand on his sword, he's happy and feels safe

At home he can sit like that forever, but that's also because when he's on his time off he becomes the laziest dog around sometimes. If he's allowed, he would just cuddle up with you and do nothing but sleep

Has fallen asleep with you in his lap, which was cute but also you both avoid making it a habit since he is heavy and will hold onto you so tightly as if you're going to drown or something.

The best option he has is to pull you into his lap and spend time with you like that, even if all you're doing is reading a book or mindlessly scrolling through tiktok

He just wants to feel you there, since he spends so much time away from you

Admittedly he is most likely to get carried away from simple cuddling to other things...

Tachihara

He only asks when y'all are alone - like REALLY alone. He is used to his mafia image, and even when he doesn't have to keep it up at headquarters, he's scared of being teased.

Likes to hold you in his lap and just talk about each others day, it's one of his favorite forms of cuddling since he can just hold you with him while you're both in the office

He's a little lanky, he's built but he is shifting around a lot and it's hard for him to have you on his lap for so long. He doesn't have the biggest ass in the world (unlike some other dogs on this list)

Like Jouno, is really touchy though - he kisses you, teases your skin, and plays with your hands

He wants to enjoy the time he is spending with you, and if he could he would memorize your entire body with just his fingertips

It's almost like a massage when he does it, tracing your thighs in little patterns while you quickly fill in forms you both needed to do yesterday. He's enjoying his time, what can he say?

At home?

Dude is having you on his lap while you both play games or do your own thing. Parallel play

He want his time, but he doesn't want to lose time with you

It's a compromise, so he can sit on his computer playing PalWorld while you scroll your phone

It's warm, so y'all have the AC down and a blanket on just to enjoy each others company

Almost like a casual date lol

Idk if these were good tbh, I feel like they're very general? IDK

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Country Rose 3

Warnings: age gap, power dynamics, creep behaviour, other dark elements. As usual, be mindful of your content consumption.

I also beg of you to leave me some tuppence in the form of a comment and/or reblog. You are cherished!

Enjoy, my loverlies.

You go down and find Martha in the kitchen. She smiles so brightly as you appear and offer to help her finish the corn. You can't help a sliver of glumness. Your mother never was so happy to see you. No, it's her disappointment that pushed you accept the job  to move away to the middle of no where. 

The more you think about it, the more you doubt yourself. To what end are you putting yourself through this desolate purgatory. It might be novel and peaceful now but you always tend to grow bored with the familiar. It's the very reason you flunked out of college. You couldn't do the same day over and over.  

"What are we making with the corn?" You ask, hoping the conversation can ease the tension, not just with Martha but in your mind. 

"Oh, I got some potatoes to roast and some beef. Homegrown," she explains, "you do a lotta cookin', sweetheart?" 

"Mostly out of boxes," you laugh, "but I'm willing to learn. How are you roasting the potatoes? Quartered? Sliced?" 

"Oh, you are so darned helpful," she brightens and gently taps your arm, "you can grab the sack just there," she points to the pantry door, "and give em a scrub before you cut em. Anyway you like. I'll pick out some seasonings." 

"Sounds like a plan," you agree. 

You set to work. You haul out the heavy canvas bag with a grunt and barely get it on the counter. Martha hands you a metal strainer, dented from years of use, and you fill it, rinsing the skins in the deep sink. 

"Clark said something about school," Martha says, "you'll learn a lot more out here." 

"Oh, yeah, dropped out," you turn and pick up the knife she set out with the thick board. "You know... just wasn't for me. My mom didn't want me sitting around and to be honest, I hate doing nothing." 

"Lots to do around here," she assures. 

She doesn't seem sad at the statement. She seems excited for your help. You're almost relieved as you expected cow dung and horse flies. 

"I'll be sure to carry my weight," you promise as you start chopping.  

"Mm, how sweet you are," she trills, "I see why Clark brought you here." 

"Uh, yeah, I'd hate to let him down. And it's a far way from home." 

"Why, you're grown. Not really meant to be home, is it? Finding your way like we all do," she hums and fills a pot with water, covering the corn cobs. 

Before she can attempt to lift it, you're at her side, "let me, please." 

"Oh, dang, you are just like, Clark," she mutters  "I'm not out to pasture just yet." 

"I know, but... it's heavy even for me," you assure her and show your effort as you carry the pot to the stove. 

"Mmm, still my house," she frowns and backs up. "Well, when I was your age, me and Jonathan were married for a while. Couple years but... no kids. Not til Clark came along." 

"Oh? How old were you when... when you had him?" You ask out if courtesy. You peek at her. You're not sure of her age and you're not bold enough to guess. Clark has to be at least in his mid-30s. 

"Oh, yes, about his age now," she answers as if reading your mind. "He's mine. Ours. Not by blood. Could never... you know..." she looks grim as she lowers her chin, "all the same, me and Jonathan never saw him as anything but ours." 

"Adopted?" You wonder. 

"Think we were meant to wait for him," she perks up, "anyway, how can I be sad with such a good son? Don't ya think?" 

"Yes, Clark is very nice," you agree. 

"Sweet boy," she preens, "strong, gentle, smart." She clasps her hands together, "I'm sure I don't need to say it." 

"Mm, uh huh," you murmur, not really sure what she means. 

“I know a lovely idea,” she says, “I have the meat marinating so why don’t you take him some of my sun tea? It’s his favourite.” 

“Ah, um, sure, I can do that.” 

“And take your time. You don’t gotta stay inside all day,” she chimes. 

“There’s a pitcher in the fridge. Put some ice in before you rush off. Have some yourself if you like.” 

You take the task as an opportunity to see more of the farm You pour a glass of the dark iced tea and add a few cubes of ice. Martha watches you go with a bright expression that leaves you a bit uneasy. It’s just her way, you guess. Maybe it’s a part of her condition. Clark mentioned she wasn’t quite herself. 

You head out and stop at the top step of the porch. You realise, you don’t know where to look for him. Instead, you look out at the fields and the barn, and the meeting of blue and green off on the horizon. It’s beautiful. You think this is what it feels like to have your breath taken away. 

“Hey,” Clark startles you as he appears. “Dinner already?” 

“Um, just tea, your mom sent it out,” you come down the steps to meet him. His skin glistens in sweat that dampens the edges of his shirt. The fabric clings to the thick muscles beneath.  

“Thanks, you have any?” He accepts the glass and gulps deeply. 

“Not yet, maybe with dinner.” 

“How’s ma doing?” 

“Fine, fine. I’m just helping her. She seems happy.” 

“She would be,” he shrugs, “always wanted a daughter. Spoiled me for sure but I know. She would’ve done well with one.” 

“Yeah, uh, but she loves you.” 

“Well, yeah, but every mother wants a daughter,” he says, “what about you? How are you settling in?” 

“Um, good. It’s... different.” 

“For now,” he says, “but you’ll get used to it.” 

[catcze]

dad! wriothesley x mom! reader. mr rizzley as a father to his adorable lil twin boys. one day while reader was at work he decides to giev them a tour in the fortress of meropide and then reader finds out and scolds wriothesley:)) basically just a fic full of domestic and fluff🫶

AWWWGASHJD 🥺 That's literally so adorable ?!?! Damn, now I've got the visiomn of Wrio cradling one of his twin boys in each of his arms while they cling to his shoulders stuck in my brain aaAAAAAAAA

「 CWS : 」 Reader is called 'Mommy', etc. but no pronouns or mentions of readers biology are explicitly mentioned !! Also i didn't have the chance to mention the kids' looks, but in my mind im imagining your kids to look like mini Wriothesleys lmao

Wriothesley knows he's in for one of your long-winded lectures when you find out. He knows you're gonna chew his ear off, and that he'll sit through it and give you his whole attention like a good husband, but in the same way that he can't resist it when you ask him of something, he can't resist when his kids beg him for something either.

"Daddy, daddy!" Thomas yells right into his ear, making him wince. "What's that over there?" Thomas points one of his short arms at the entrance to the pankration ring's elevator, eyes glittering with curiosity. Sitting on his opposite arm, cradled to his chest just like his brother, Edward shares the same look.

"That? Oh—" He stutters for a second, wincing internally. He can just tell how much you're gonna tack on to your lecture later if you find out he brought your kids into the pankration ring. "That's... daddy's old workout place. Nothing cool to see there, bud. Haha. Hey, do you guys wanna see what Miss Sigewinne is up to—"

"Let's go there daddy!" Edward exclaims, trying to jump up where he sits, making Wriothesley quickly have to brace himself to not fall. "We wanna see where you practice beating up bad guys!"

"It's... Let's— Uh."

"Let's go daddy!" Thomas says, gripping his collar and tugging it as if to try to lead him there like a horse.

In unison, they chant: "Let's go let's go let's go!"

And Wriothesley can do nothing but sigh and let his kids tug him where they want him to go.

By the time he's getting back into the elevator to head back to the administrative area, he can say he's a little winded. Just a little, mind you. His kids, however, are bursting with life after they'd damn near forced him to show them every single nook and cranny of the fortress.

Oh he's in for such an earful later.

As Thomas and Edward continue to chatter to him about how cool the fortress is, how nice the people are and how awesome they think their daddy is (that last part makes him smile; makes him puff his chest out just a little bit more) Wriothesley nods along with each thing they say. Adds in a little bit where he needs to, corrects a couple details, but generally lets them prattle on about what they've seen.

"I wish mommy could've come with," Thomas says with a pout, and Edward nods. "I bet mommy has a lot of stories about this place, too."

"Haha—" Wriothesley laughs, but it's a little strained. "Y— ahem, yeah, mommy's been busy with work today, so how about we don't mention the tour today, hm? I'm pretty sure that mommy's gonna be super tired at home so we shouldn't—"

The elevator doors open then, and there you stand, eyes narrowed and arms crossed over your chest. Staring into his very soul.

"—make a lot of noise. Hi, sweetheart."

Your boys, however, all but jump for joy at your appearance, hopping out of their father's arms to run and cling to your legs. "Mommy! You're here!" They both cheer, grinning brightly. And for a moment, your cold rage at your husband is tempered as you crouch to their level, offering them a small smile.

"Hey, beetles," you coo, as they grab one hand each and clutch it tightly. "You two have fun running 'round the fortress with daddy the whole day? I bet you two saw lots of sights."

"We did!" they say excitedly, and in a blur of words and exclamations, they both try to tell you all about the things they've seen with their dad. You let them talk for a bit, smiling and nodding, before you gently interject.

"Sounds like you two had quite the day with daddy. Let's go back to his office— I have some snacks that Miss Sigewinne laid out for us."

They cheer once more like the little boys that they are, releasing your hands as they run back in the direction of Wriothesley's office, barely slowing their steps when you yell, 'Be careful!' behind them. Then you turn to the man himself the glare back on your face as he grins a little sheepishly at you.

"Before you start!" He says, holding a hand out placatingly, "I didn't plan to give them the whole tour. I was just gonna bring them to the cafeteria, then they got curious and... well... you know how they can get. "

You just sigh, the tension in your shoulders easing just a little. Because you do know how they get, and you know that Wriothesley can never say no if they ask nicely enough. It's one of his greatest weaknesses.

"Just— Please tell me you didn't bring them to any of the more dangerous places, please?"

And he has the audacity to snort. "Okay. I won't tell you then, sweetheart."

"Wrio!"

[the-sapphire-star]

First Meeting

Osomatsu

A groan left Osomatsu when he saw that his horse lost. 'Man, this is why I stick to pachinko' he grumbled in his head. He looked at the little paper in his hand.

"Now, what do I do? It's too early to head back home" he whined, wanting to stay out longer

"Why not just bet on one more horse?" Jyushimatsu asked

Osomatsu narrowed his eyes at his little brother. Yeah, because it was that easy. "Yeah sure, you got couple more yen I can barrow?" he asked to which Jyushimatsu shook his head rapidly, "well, there's the answer! I don't have money and neither do you" he sighed once more, "let's just go, I'll try pachinko tomorrow"

Jyushimatsu stuttered as he tried to warn his older brother, but it was too late. As Osomatsu turned around to leave, he bumped into someone else so comically that they both fell back on their butts. Jyushimatsu went to help his brother who was about to shout at the person who he bumped into, only to stop when he saw it was a cute girl.

"Ow, that hurt" she muttered and then looked up at the guy who she bumped into, "Oh, sorry about that" she chuckled

Osomatsu smiled and pushed Jyushimatsu away, "Oh no problem, it was my fault" he said as he hurried to help her up. As he did, he took a quick look over at the girl while she patted the dirt off her clothes.

She was so cute! (H/L) (H/C) hair, (E/C) eyes, and (S/T) skin. She wore a (F/C) sweater over a white shirt and a cute blue skirt. Pretty normal for a day out but she looked so damn cute in it.

"Oh, sorry you lost" she said, bring him out of his head. He blinked at her in question, and she pointed to the paper in his hand, "your horse. Sorry you lost"

Osomatsu glanced at his paper, remembering why he was angry a while ago, and scoffed, "oh don't worry about that" he laughed, "no big deal, nothing to worry about" he rubbed the back of his head and then gave her a smile, "so what brings you here? You don't seem like the type to be here"

The girl shrugged, "dad, asked me to come" she answered, "he said he was too busy with work but that he really wanted to come and bet on one of the horses" she rolled her eyes, "so he told me to come and try out my luck with his money"

"Oh really? So how lucky are you?" Osomatsu asked as he wiggled his eyebrows at her. Jyushimatsu rolled his eyes at his older brother. 'I thought we were leaving'

She chuckled at his actions, "Are you asking about right now or with the horses?" She asked, "cause I'm liking my situation right now"

Osomatsu's eyes gleamed as a blush rose to his cheeks. Jyushimatsu's eyes widened at the fact that a girl, any girl, was flirting with his shitty older brother.

The girl giggled and showed him her paper, "but my luck with the horses is pretty good too" she said and Osomatsu's eyes widened when he saw that she had bet on the winning horse. He's had his small lucks with the horses too, but with the way she's talking, it was as if she rarely came here. The girl smirked as she watched his eyes turn to stars, "do you want it?" she asked. Osomatsu snapped out of it and starred at her in shock, "I don't really care about these things and dad could use a break from all this" she said as she nudged to paper towards him

Osomatsu stared at her with wide eyes. Jyushimatsu couldn't believe his ears either. Was she new in town? There was almost no one in this town who didn't know about him and his brothers at this point. Let alone anyone who would be so nice to give them a winning chance at anything! It almost brought tears to his eyes!

"Hellooo?" she called bringing him back again, "you want it or not?" Osomatsu blinked in confusion as his mouth opened and closed, not sure what to say. The girl chuckled and took his paper and replaced it with hers, "it's not a lot but at least you won something, right?" she said as she started walking past him

Osomatsu finally snapped out of it and turned to her, "Wait!" he called and ran up to her, getting her attention. She turned around and smirked at him, "uh, um, thanks for this" he gestured to the paper, "w-what's your name?"

The girl turned around and gave him a wink, making both Matsu's eyes widen, and their cheeks redden. "My name's (y/n) (L/n)" she chirped and walked over to the boy in the red sweater, "and what's your name?"

"Oh, I'm Osomatsu Matsuno" he said very excitingly, making (y/n) smile happily at him

"Well, I hope I see you again soon, O-So-Ma-Tsu~" she sang and turned to walk away.

Jyushimastu gasped and jumped back to his spot next to Osomatsu. "Did that just happen?" Osomastu asked with a goofy grin, to which Jyushimatsu just nodded his head strongly. Osomastu's smile grew as he clenched his hands, scrunching up the paper, "the others won't believe this" he said just as happily.

Jyushimatsu, again, shook his head rapidly. 'No way they'll believe us' he thought

Karamatsu

"Come on, Karamatsu!" Todomtsu whined, "we have been here for hours, when can we go?"

The two Matsunos have been at the clothing store for hours. The second oldest Matsuno had been looking though the racks, saying he's looking for the perfect clothes for himself, but to no avail yet. Todomatsu agreed to go, thinking he could get some clothes for himself. But he had chosen his clothes, bought them and now they were in their bags, and all that was left was for Karamatsu to choose his own clothes.

"Not just yet my brother" he said, not taking his eyes off the clothes, "these clothes just aren't right" he grumbled, "how will I impress my Karamatsu girls with these clothes? They have to be right, or it just won't work"

"Then let's go! You can try again tomorrow" Totty cried out

Karamatsu only hummed in thought. Yes, he could leave but if he did, he could miss the opportunity to find something really good right now. "I don't know..." he grumbled

Totty was about to scream at his brother when all of a sudden, a shimmering shirt was nudged on Karamatsu's arm. The two turned their attention to whoever was holding it and they saw a cute girl with (H/L) (H/C) and (E/C) eyes looking up at him a bit shyly.

"Sorry for being so forward, but I happened to overhear your little problem" she said with a small smile. The two blushed at her and listened attentively. "I wouldn't suggest this, but I did notice your pants and thought you might like this shirt"

Todomatsu and Karamatsu looked at his pants to see that he was wearing his sparkly pants...again.

Karamatsu smiled at her, "You're totally right! That is a great shirt!" he said happily as he took it

Todomatsu narrowed his eyes at his brother, "Yeah, no way in hell" he muttered quietly, but loud enough for Karamatsu to glare at him

"Do you work here?" Karamatsu asked, "I would certainly come by more often if a cutey like you were here" he said with a wink, "especially when you seem to understand my taste in fashion so well"

The girl blushed and waved her hands, "oh no, I don't work here" she smiled, "I just thought you needed help" she said and then glanced at the pink covered boy next to him, "your brother seemed ready to explode"

"Oh don't worry about him" Karamatsu said quickly before Totty could say anything, "what's your name beautiful?"

The girl's eyes widened at his forwardness, "(Y/n) (L/N), nice to meet you" she said

"I'm Karamatsu, the pleasure is all mine" he said eccentrically, Totty only rolled his eyes at him

The girl chuckled, "Um, I have to go but I hope to see you soon, Karamatsu" she said sweetly and walked off, but she turned back before that, "and I bet you'll look good in that" she said and walked off

The two brothers' eyes widened, and Karamatsu blushed as he watched (Y/n) walk away. "NO WAY!" Todomatsu yelled as he grabbed his brother's shirt, "A cute girl wants to see you again!? You!?" he screamed. Only for Karamatsu to have a smile on his face, not listening to his younger brother.

Choromatsu

"Nyaa-chan was as cute as ever!" Choromatsu fawned as he walked out of the concert hall. "So was Totoko"

It was one of those days where he just got to be by himself, without his brothers to judge or ruin the moment for him. "Oh, I wonder what souvenirs they have" he said out loud and ran to where they had all the merch at a table near the exit. He would do another Meet&Greet but he didn't have enough for that this time around. That and he was still embarrassed from when his shitty oldest brother did.

He'd have to give it a little longer before he did that again. He was pretty sure Nyaa-chan still remembered that incident.

"Let's see here" he wondered as he looked around the table. As usual, there was more stuff for Nyaa-chan then poor Totoko. "What to get? What to get?" he muttered. Then he saw a small figure of Nyaa-chan at the corner of the table...the very last one, too!

Choromatsu reached over to grab it. Only for his hand to bump into a smaller one's. He was about to yell at the person to get lost it was his, but his mouth closed when he saw a girl look up at him in surprise.

"Oh, sorry, were you going to buy it?" she asked

His cheeks grew pink as he gave her a once over. Her pretty (H/C) hair was up in a (short/long) ponytail and her (E/C) looked at him all innocent-like. He blinked when she spoke up again.

"Oh, uh, you can have it" he said happily

"But, you were going to buy it, right?" she asked

Choromatsu waved his hands, "Oh don't worry about it!" he chuckled, "there's always next time"

"But this is a limited edition Nyaa-chan model" she said making him freeze in his spot. She realized that he did not know that, and she chuckled. She picked up the model and placed it in his hands, making him shake his head and look at her, before she picked up a, smaller, Totoko model.

"What? But-"

"How about, you take Nyaa-chan and I take Totoko-chan" she said happily. "I don't mind, I like them both"

Choromatsu couldn't believe it! Someone was doing something nice for him? Not even his brothers would be this nice to him! His cheeks turned red and small tears appeared on the side of his eyes, making her look at him in question.

"Um! What is your name, please?" he asked, rather aggressively, making her jump

"I-I'm (Y/N) (L/N)" she replied, "Nice to meet you..."

"Choromatsu Matsuno!" he replied to her with a very low bow

"Oh, well, it's nice to meet you, Choromatsu" she replied with a smile.

Choromatsu turned red all over and was close to exploding in happiness. (Y/n) Smiled at him once more and bowed before walking off to pay for her figurine. Once she was gone, Choromatsu couldn't help but swoon and fawn over the girl, gaining weird looks from the other people around him. Until he realized that no way was anyone going to believe that he just talked to a cute girl.

Ichimatsu

'Where are all the cats?' Ichimatsu thought as he walked around the streets. It was strange. Ichimatsu almost never had any difficulty finding cats. Usually, some of them showed up on his window and he'd give them some treats.

He needed to get out of the house anyway. His brothers were getting on each other's nerves, so it seemed like a good time to get out while he still could. But for some reason, he couldn't find the cats even with a bag full of cat treats and the memory of the map the Riceballs gave him a while ago.

'They all must have found a place with good food somewhere else' Ichimatsu thought somewhat sadly as he continued to walk and look around. Up until now, he thought that he was the best place for them to get treats but looks like they found some place else.

"Good kikies" the fourth Mastu stopped in his tracks when he heard a very sweet voice from the alley right next to them. He was about to keep walking when he heard a couple of meow's coming from that same alley. He smiled lightly and walked in, forgetting about the voice already.

As he got further in, he stopped when he saw a figure crouching down, their back facing him, in front of a big pile of cats. "cute kikies" they coo'd

From where he stood, he could see that they were giving the cats treats, same as what he was going to do. He looked at the group of cats sadly and was about to turn to walk away, when one of the cats saw him and ran to him. 'ESP Kitty?'

The figure turned to follow the cat, and noticed Ichimatsu standing there. The boy flinched, his mind already thinking the negative of the situation. 'She's probably gonna scream and report me' he thought shakingly, 'she's alone in an alley and a random guy is standing behind her like a creep? Yeah, I'm getting my ass reported for sure'

The girl looked at him in question and then noticed the sardine snacks in his hands. She then smiled at him, "are giving the cats food too?" she asked, surprising him, "no wonder they've looked well fed for strays" she pet one of the cat's heads, "come on over. I bet they're still hungry, I didn't really bring a lot of snacks"

In his confusion, Ichimatsu got a good look at her. She had (h/l) (h/c) hair and she had a (f/c) shirt and black leggings with running shoes. Looks like she was out for a run and decided to feed the cats while out here.

The girl looked over at him when he didn't move. She then got up and walked over to him. He flinched lightly when she got closer, making her chuckle. "I'm not a biter" she said lightly and grabbed his hand to drag him over to the group of cats. Stiffly, he opened the bag of sardines and started giving them to the cats one by one.

The girl smiled as she watched the cats go up to him in comfort, as if they knew him personally already. As Ichimatsu fed the cats, he slowly started forgetting about the cute girl next to him...that is until he ran out of sardines and the cats all moew'd as if thanking him before they dispersed and walked, or jumped, off.

"Bye, kikies!" the girl smiled as she waved at them, making Ichimatsu jump, remembering that she was there. "You have a way with cats" she marveled as they walked out of the alley, "I bet they all know you really well by now, huh?" Ichimatsu only nodded as he led the way out of the alley. "Aw c'mon, cat got your tongue?" she asked with a light tease

Ichimatsu blushed lightly, "I-I always give them treats" he said

The girl gasped, "aw, you're so sweet!" she said and brought out her hand, "I'm (y/n) (l/n)" she introduced, "and who is the cat savor of the city?" she asked, only making him blush harder

"Ichimatsu Matsuno" he said as he shakingly brought his hand up to meet hers.

"I gotta go, but I hope I meet you again soon" she said as she brought out some headphones and placed them on. Ichimatsu's eyes widened, and small stars appeared in them, when he saw that she had on cat ear'd headphones without a care in the world. With a final wave, she jogged off.

Ichimatsu stayed froze for a while, his hand still in its outstretched position. Once she was out of sight, she brought his hand close to his face as if inspecting it. He had just spoken with a girl...and he even touched her! After maybe 5 minutes of staring at his hand, he stiffly walked back to his house, hoping that he does see her again.

Jyushimatsu

"Hussle, hussle! Muscle, muscle!"

Like every other day, Jyushimatsu was at the park, either practicing his swinging or playing with the kids there. Today, a little (h/c) haired boy ran over to him as asked him if he could teach him how to pitch and swing correctly.

Jyushimatsu being the silly, nice, person he is said he would if he paid him. The boy nodded and said he'll pay him if he managed to pitch and swing correctly. With a little thought, Jyushimatsu agreed.

So here they were, running laps because the boy, who is named (Brother name: B/N), messed up a swing. "Hustle, hustle! Muscle, muscle!"

"Why am I running laps!" (B/n) yelled angrily

Jyushimatsu stopped running and looked at him, "I don't know, pros run laps when they mess up don't they?" he asked as he picked up his bat

"I don't know!" (b/n) yelled, "let's just focus on pitching instead, for today" he said. Jyushimatsu agreed and did his best to explain how he should pitch correctly, only gaining a confused look from the little boy. He was about to try throwing the ball when he heard someone calling for him.

"(B/n)! (B/n), there you are!" a girl ran over to them and leaned down to catch her breath before glaring at the boy, "you're supposed to let us know when you want to come to the park! Not just walk out on your own!"

"Sorry, but I knew that this guy was going to be here for a bit today, so I had to get here before he left" (B/n) said, gesturing to the yellow clad guy next to him with the huge smile.

The girl looked over at him and noticed that he was just staring at her. She sighed and brought her hand out, "I'm (Y/n) (l/n), I'm his older sister" she introduced herself. Jyushimatsu brought up his sleeve covered hand and shook it rapidly, making her chuckled

"I'm Jyushimatsu Matsuno" he said, his smile not faltering, "(B/n) just asked me to teach him how to pitch, so I'm teaching him now" he said, clarifying what the little guy told her, "is he playing?" he asked

(Y/n) shook her head, "no, but he wants to. He's gonna enter the baseball club at his school later"

"But I need to practice first so I don't suck getting in" (B/n) grumbled as he crossed his arms

"I don't think you have to worry" Jyushimatsu said, "you're good for someone who's never played before"

The little boy's eyes widened and a huge smile spread across his face, almost rivalling Jyushimatu's own huge smile. After that, they agreed to practice a little while longer, while (Y/n) sat at a bench, watching them. After a little longer, (b/n) got so sleepy that he when he sat down next to his sister, he fell asleep.

(Y/n) giggled and Jyushimatsu helped her pick him up so she could get a good grip around him. "Hey, thank you for taking time to teach him" she thanked him

"It's no trouble at all" Jyushimatsu said, waving his sleeve around, "I always come to the park to play around...well almost every day. Sometimes I don't"

(Y/n) chuckled, "well, I hope I see you again" she said and walked away with (b/n) in her arms.

Jyushimatsu waved as she walked away and then turned to get his stuff when he suddenly stiffened up. "Did I hang out with a girl!?"

Todomatsu

"What a great haul!" Todomatsu sighed as he sat down on a bench. He had just gotten some really good looking clothes, the day was great and none of his annoying brothers were around to make him mad. "I gotta take a pic of this once-in-a-lifetime day" he said as he brought his phone out. Then he realized that he forgot his selfie stick at home. Oh well, outstretched pic it was.

He tried to take a picture, but he wasn't liking how it was coming out. He wanted everything he bought to be in the picture, but it wasn't possible.

As he tried over and over again, he didn't notice the girl who stopped walking and saw that he was struggling. After maybe 10 minutes of trying to get the perfect picture to post, he then noticed her looking at him. She flinched and bowed.

"I'm sorry for staring" she said quickly and looked at him, "I just noticed that you were having trouble taking the picture" Totty looked at his phone and then back at her, as if asking if that was all. "if you want, I can take it for you" she said

Todomatsu took a quick second to take her in. She had (h/l) (h/c) tied back so it was out of her face, she had (e/c) eyes and she wore a mask over her mouth, not uncommon around these parts. And she was wearing a simple (f/c) track suit. Totty didn't see anything wrong with her offer so he smiled and lent her the phone, "okay, sure" he said and got in position as she took his phone

With a quick couple photos, Totty asked her which ones looked the best, and with her help, chose the best and posted them on his social media.

"Wow thanks" he chirped once they were posted, "if it wasn't for you, I probably would've just given up and went home without taking a good selfie" he laughed, "hey, what's your name? Maybe I can tag you on it. You know, credit the camera person. I'm Todomatsu" he added quickly, leaving out his last name for obvious reasons

The girl's eyes widened when she realized she didn't even introduce herself yet, "Oh, sorry about that. I'm (Y/n), nice to meet you" she brought down the mask and smiled at him, "you don't have to add me or anything, I was just happy to help

"Well, your help was greatly appreciated" he smiled at her, "well, I better get home. My poor mother will be needing my help with my brothers soon" he said

"Your brothers?"

"Yeah, they're a handfull and I help mom out around the house" he lied

"Oh, well, I shouldn't keep you, then" she smiled at him, "nice to meet you"

"Same, I hope to meet you again" he said with a wave. 'Oh man, she was really cute' he thought as he walked off, then he paused when he realized something, 'damn it! I forgot to get her phone number!' he internally panicked, 'now I really hope to meet her again!'

[ameagrice]

Capsize

chapter thirty | fine line

percy jackson x fem reader

There are silver streaks shared by Annabeth and Percy, scattered through their hair.

It’s something that will connect them forever, you know for certain. It’s a symbol of a shared strength.

It’s just one more thing to make your heart melt.

Realistically, you should feel nothing but proud of them both, and in your own way, you do. But there has been too much loss to feel any sort of good from the ending, and you can’t get Zoe Nightshade’s death from your mind.

“I can see the stars, my lady,” she whispered, so gently you’d barely heard her at all. The wound on her side gaped, and bled, the golden ichor of an immortal on her way out. An inch of a smile appeared on her face, struggling, before it dropped, and the light faded from Zoe Nightshade’s eyes. A wisp of silvery light lifted from her lips, drifting up into the air, before it, too, faded.

In the sky, the stars showed an image of a girl, running across the sky. Zoe Nightshade had, finally, found her peace.

Atlas was in his rightful place. His daughter had been stolen from the world. Luke Castellan was kicked to his death by Thalia’s action.

Except, they couldn’t find a body.

Body, upon body, upon body. They just kept piling up.

Bianca; Zoe; Luke. Lost lives; people who could have had so much more than they were given.

But Gods who couldn’t care any less.

And if you had to, you’d bet they didn’t even know their names.

You could see now, just why Luke was so angry. Because you felt it too. And it was terrifying.

“You don’t believe me about Luke,” Annabeth said, sounding faded amongst your thoughts. “We’ll see him again. He’s just under Kronos’s spell.”

Thalia jolted away, somehow seemingly unbothered by the height at which you travelled in the sky, Artemis in the lead. “There it is,” she pointed, sitting up. “It’s started.”

“What’s started?” Percy leaned forward, catching your hair between his hand on the seat he held onto. You didn’t say anything.

High above the Empire State Building, Olympus was its own island of light. A mountain ablaze with torches and braziers.

“The Winter Solstice,” she breathed. “The Council of the Gods.”

In the early-morning darkness, torches and fires made the mountainside palaces glow twenty different colors, from bloodred to indigo. Apparently no one ever slept on Olympus. The twisting streets were full of demigods and nature spirits and minor godlings bustling about, riding chariots or sedan chairs carried by Cyclopes. Winter didn’t seem to exist here. The scent of the gardens in full bloom, jasmine and roses and even sweeter filled your senses. Music drifted up from many windows, the soft sounds of lyres and reed pipes.

Towering at the peak of the mountain was the greatest palace of all, the glowing white hall of the gods.

You touched ground outside towering, silver gates, just inside the courtyard. Pegasi travel was rather terrifying, and you were much more than glad to be alive and on the ground. Olympus glowed with warm, the kind that settled in your bones. The warm wind, blowing from nowhere, shifted your hair when you clambered down to the ground.

“Yeah,” Percy muttered.

“Huh?”

Percy froze. “Uh—the horse. Sorry! Pegasi.”

A laugh escaped you, startling in the night. Thalia turned, eyebrow raised. “Why are you talking to a horse? It didn’t say anything.”

“Didn’t I tell you? Haven’t I told you?” He averted his gaze.

“What,” you landed your hand on your hip, waving the other to the pegasi. “You talk to animals now, too, like Grover?”

“Just sea creatures. And horses. Pegasi, sorry!”

“Yeah, you’ll really have to explain that later,” you trailed off. “We’ve got more important matters at hand.”

The Pegasi flew off, leaving yourself, Percy, Thalia and your sister together. You liked to think, years later, laying on the glass floor of a ship, that you were all trying to gather the courage after everything to step inside the giant building, and face gods you had once only ever heard about in stories.

Side-by-side, you walked into the throne room.

Twelve enormous thrones made a U around a central hearth, just like the placement of the cabins at camp. The ceiling above glittered with constellations—even the newest one, Zoë the Huntress, making her way across the heavens with her bow drawn.

All of the seats were occupied. Each god and goddess was about fifteen feet tall. Under their judging eyes, despite your own mother being one of them, you were uncomfortable.

“Welcome, heroes,” Artemis said.

“Mooo!”

That was when you noticed Bessie and Grover, the latter standing at the side of a pool of water which Bessie swam in.

“Grover! You made it.”

He started to run towards your friends, then stopped, and looked back at Zeus, who up close, felt a lot scarier than he looked. You only realized then, that there was a major difference in terror of humans, and the intimidation of gods. You could deal with this kind.

“Go on,” Zeus nodded once. But he wasn’t looking at Grover—he was looking at Thalia.

None of the gods spoke. Grover’s hooves echoed on the marble floor, Bessie the Ophiotaurus mooing warmly at your arrival.

You took the time to observe the gods up close, because you might never get the chance to again. Artemis, looking as if she hadn’t ever even been hold hostage, watched the exchange between Percy and Grover. Percy’s father, Poseidon, dressed so casually you might have laughed in other circumstances, had this sort of barely-there smile on his face, bright eyes shining just the way Percy’s own did, too. Apollo, sunglasses covering his eyes, had his earbuds in, golden head of hair tilted back to the ceiling. And…

Ares. It was impossible to not feel him looking at you. Why the special interest, you wanted to ask. Do you see yourself in me? You wondered. Do I see myself in you?

Your eyes met his dark ones, a stark difference, between the extreme fatigue, and the colors. Your eyes burned with exhaustion and the tears you had shed since yesterday. He wore his signature black leather jacket, dark, dark hair being tousled by Aphrodite’s touch. When it was obvious her husband wasn’t looking at her, perched at his side, her love-ridden smile slowly fell away, and those sparkling eyes fell on you as well.

Or maybe it’s you, I see myself in. Too romantic. Too caught up in feelings. After all, you only had so much love to spare between friends, and the dead ones.

What do you see in me? You were desperate to ask, curiosity clawing at your chest. Why am I the way I am?

Gods sometimes took a special interest in heroes. All the tales told you so. You just had to wonder, what would come of this.

Ragged and bruised, you felt as though you were being picked apart under the watchful eyes of so many olympians.

You hadn’t realized Grover was doing the rounds until he yanked you into a hug. You found it in yourself to hug him back—at least he was still alive.

“Glad you made it,” you whispered.

“You too.” He nodded. Neither of you smelled amazing after this quest, but it went uncared for. A trouble shared is a trouble deeply understood.

“You have to convince them,” he said to the remaining four of you. “They can’t do it!”

“Do what?” You blinked.

“Heroes,” Artemis called. The goddess slid down from her throne and turned to human size, a young auburn-haired girl, perfectly at ease in the midst of the giant Olympians. She walked toward your little group, her silver robes shimmering. There was no emotion in her face. She seemed to walk in a column of moonlight.

“The Council has been informed of your deeds,” Artemis spoke loudly, addressing everyone in a steady, clear tone. “They know that Mount Othrys is rising in the West. They know of Atlas’s attempt for freedom, and the gathering armies of Kronos. We have voted to act.”

There was some mumbling and shuffling among the olympians, as if they weren’t all happy with this plan, but nobody protested.

“At my Lord Zeus’s command,” Artemis said, “my brother Apollo and I shall hunt the most powerful monsters, seeking to strike them down before they can join the Titans’ cause. Lady Athena shall personally check on the other Titans to make sure they do not escape their various prisons. Lord Poseidon has been given permission to unleash his full fury on the cruise ship Princess Andromeda and send it to the bottom of the sea. And as for you, my heroes…”

She turned to face the other immortals.

And that, was the moment you saw your mother for the first time.

Dressed in a beautiful white dress, draped over one shoulder, her eyes, as gray as your own, as gray as Annabeth’s appeared lost in thought. You took the chance to just look at the woman you never thought you would meet.

“I gotta say—” Apollo cleared his throat. “These heroes did okay.” He began to recite. “Heroes win laurels—”

“Um, yes, first class,” Hermes interrupted with a side-eye in his brother’s direction. You were unable to help the smirk. “All in favor of not disintegrating them?”

A few tentative hands went up: Aphrodite, Demeter, Apollo—waving his iPod.

“Hang on a minute,” Ares growled, sitting up on his throne. He pointed at Thalia and Percy, on the other side of Annabeth. “These two are dangerous. It’d be much safer, while we’ve got them here—”

Don’t say anything, you begged yourself. Even Annabeth elbowed you.

“Ares,” Poseidon interrupted. “They are worthy heroes. We will not blast my son to bits.”

“Nor my daughter,” grumbled Zeus. “She has done well.”

You leaned forward around your sister, who visibly shook, pale, in need of a lie down from the looks of things. Thalia blushed—you grinned wickedly. All the things you could do with this moment in the future.

Athena cleared her throat. Annabeth sighed. The goddess leaned forward. “I am proud of my daughters, as well. But I agree—there is a security issue with the other two.”

Annabeth elbowed you a little too late, this time.

“Mother!” You exclaimed.

Your heart dropped and splattered on the ground. Never had you addressed her as such. And never had she looked you in the face the way she did now.

Too late to back out, now.

“How can you just—”

Athena cut you off with a girl, but calm look. “It is unfortunate that my father, Zeus, and my uncle, Poseidon, chose to break their oath not to have more children. Only Hades kept his word, a fact that I find ironic. As we know from the Great Prophecy, children of the three elder gods…such as Thalia and Percy…are dangerous. As thickheaded as he is, Ares has a point.”

“Right!” Ares said. “Hey, wait a minute. Who you callin’—”

He started to get up, but a grape vine grew around his waist like a seat belt and pulled him back down.

“Oh, please, Ares,” Dionysus sighed. “Save the fighting for later.”

Ares cursed and ripped away the vine. “You’re one to talk, you old drunk. You seriously want to protect these brats?”

Dionysus gazed wearily. “I have no love for them. Athena, do you really think it wise to destroy them?”

“I do not pass judgement,” she said. “I only point out the risk. What we do, the Council must decide.”

“I will not have them punished,” Artemis cut in hotly. “I will have them rewarded. If we punish heroes who do us such a great favour, then we are no better than the titans, are we not? If this is Olympian justice, I will have none of it.”

“Calm down, sis,” Apollo scoffed. “Chill. Jeez, you need to lighten up.”

“Don’t call me sis! I will reward them!”

“Well, perhaps. But the monster must be destroyed. We have agreement on that?”

“Bessie?” Percy burst out. “You want to destroy Bessie?”

Your heart swelled. Gosh, he cared. It was lovely.

And then you wanted to slap yourself.

What was up with the emotions lately?

Poseidon frowned. “You have named the Ophiotaurus Bessie?”

“Dad,” Percy said. “He’s just a sea creature. A really nice sea creature. You can’t destroy him.”

Poseidon shifted uncomfortably, a trait Percy shared with him, you noted. “Percy, it’s power is considerable. If the titans were to steal it, or—”

“You can’t,” Percy insisted.

Zeus opened his mouth, looking as though he was getting antsier by the second. But you had experience with this sort of thing that needed a good negotiation, so you cut in.

“Controlling the prophecies never works. Isn’t that true?” You tried, stepping forward. All eyes landed on you, and you swallowed. “Have we not just experienced it? Are we not experiencing it now? The Ophiotaurus is innocent. Killing something like that is wrong. It’s as wrong as Kronos eating his children just because of something they might do.”

Zeus looked to be considering it. You breathed heavily, in a mild panic after consulting the king of the gods head on. If he wanted to, you could be zapped out of existence in less than a second.

“And what of the risk? Kronos knows full well, if one of you were to sacrifice the beast’s entrails you would have the power to destroy all of us. Do you think we can let this possibility remain? You, my daughter, will turn sixteen on the morrow, just as the prophecy says.”

“You have to trust them,” you tried, pleading with your eyes. “Please, you have to trust them.”

Zeus scowled. “Trust a hero?”

“She is right,” Artemis nodded slowly. “Which is why I must first make a reward. My faithful companion, Zoe Nightshade, has passed into the stars. I must have a new lieutenant. And I intend to choose one, but first, father Zeus, I must speak with you privately.”

Zeus beckoned Artemis forward, leaning to listen as she whispered to him.

“Annabeth,” Percy whispered from behind you. “Don’t.”

“What?”

“Look, I need to tell you something. I couldn’t stand it if—I don’t want you to—”

Artemis turned. “I will have a new lieutenant, if she will accept it. Thalia, daughter of Zeus, will you join the Hunt?”

Your jaw almost dropped. Stunned silence filled the room.

“I will,” Thalia said firmly. She moved to your side, and then a little bit further ahead. Confident.

Zeus rose, his eyes full of concern. “My daughter, consider well—”

Don’t let him change your mind, you prayed. Hold your ground.

“Father, I will not turn sixteen tomorrow,” she shook her head. “I will never turn sixteen. I won’t let this prophecy be mine. I stand with my sister Artemis. Kronos will not tempt me again.”

She knelt down before Artemis, and repeated the same words Bianca had uttered what felt like years ago at the cliff side in the snow and weary sunlight.

When she had finished, she hugged each of you and said a few words. You felt awkward, putting your hands into your coat pockets, when Thalia stood in front of you. For once, there was no spiteful comments from either one of you. She smiled small, looking rejuvenated the same way Bianca had, as if the quest had never happened.

“You’re a good friend,” she nodded. “You’re brave. You’ve got what it takes to help them with this prophecy.” And then she leaned in, and hugged you just as she had with Annabeth and Grover and Percy. “Trust yourself.”

Thalia went and stood with Artemis, and the atmosphere changed instantly.

“Now, for the Ophiotaurus.”

“The boy is still dangerous,” Mr. D. opposed. The beast is a temptation to great power. Even if we spare the boy—”

“No.” Percy said firmly. “Please. Keep the Ophiotaurus safe. My dad can hide him under the sea somewhere, or keep him in an aquarium here. But you have to protect him.”

“And why should we trust you?”

“I’m only fourteen. If this prophecy is about me, that’s only two more years.”

“Two years for Kronos to deceive you,” Athena uttered. “Much can change in two years, young hero. It is only the truth. It is bad strategy to keep the boy alive. And the animal.”

Poseidon stood. “I will not have the creature destroyed if I can help it. And I can, help it.”

He held out his hand, and a spear shimmering with blue light appeared. “I will vouch for the boy and the safety of the Ophiotaurus.”

“You won’t take it under the sea!” Zeus stood suddenly. “I won’t have that kind of bargaining chip in your possession.”

“Brother, please,” Poseidon sighed.

Zeus’s lightening bolt appeared in his hand, and the whole room filled with the smell of ozone.

“Fine,” Poseidon nodded. “I will build an aquarium for the sea creature here, with the help of Hephaestus. The creature will be safe. The boy will not betray us. I vouch for this on my honor.”

Zeus thought about it. “All in favor?”

A dozen hands went up, besides Mr. D, your mother’s, and Ares just sat looking bored.

“We have a majority. And so, since we are not destroying these heroes, I imagine we should reward them.”

—

There are parties, and then there are Olympian parties. And Olympian parties are filled with gold and beautiful colours, exotic flowers and the Muses music, braziers of fire, and delicious food and drinks. It became busy very quickly, and before you knew it, you found yourself stumbling into a corner to get yourself together. All you wished to do was go to your cabin and cry. To let it all out.

“This doesn’t look like you’re partying.”

“What the hell are you? A spy? Just leave me alone.” You shoved yourself further into the corner just away from all the partying, a quiet corridor devoid of anything but cold marble and tall, golden ceilings.

Ares hummed lowly. You didn’t have to see him, shoved into the corner like a child, but you knew he was just on the other side of it.

“I’ll let you off just this once, demigod.”

You rolled your eyes. The marble edges dug into your back uncomfortably from how hard you were trying to disappear for a few minutes. “What do you want? Spit it out.”

“If you weren’t her’s, I would say you’re one of mine. You’ve got the fire, I’ll give you that. And my wife has taken a special interest in you and that boy. Her business is my business, you’ll understand. Since you’re her business, now, you’re my business, too.”

You wanted to scream at him to leave, to go away so you could breathe for five minutes. But…you really wanted to know what he had to say. Curiosity always got the better of you.

“I don’t want to be anybody’s business,” you settled on, weakly. “I’m my own person.”

“Whatever, kid. I’m just here to pass along a message.”

“Which is?”

“She says, you’re doing exactly what you should be doing.”

“Oh, really?”

You shoved away from the corner, and paused.

He’d already gone.

—

Making your way back into the crowd was the last thing you wanted to do, but it would be best to show your face for a little while. Eventually you made your way back to Percy. He smiled as you popped up next to him, and then slowly frowned. His green eyes glistened under all the lights.

“You’ve been crying,” he reached up, and then lowered his hand, unsure of what to do.

You laughed pitifully. “Yeah.”

Because, really, what more could you say? It was rather obvious. And you sounded as if you’d just developed the world’s worst cold and stuffy nose.

Percy still stared at you, concerned. It was touching, really.

“I’m just tired.” You nodded. “I promise. When we get back to camp you might not see me for a couple weeks. I’m about to fall off the face of the earth in sleep mode.”

He smiled, tight-lipped, those eyes dancing across your face. For the first time ever under Percy’s eyes, you felt self-conscious.

“I’ll clean up later. My dad always says I look like I’ve just done thirty rounds of coke after crying. It’s funny because it’s true,” you tried lightly.

Percy’s dark curls shook. “No,” he denied. “I think you look…I think you look pretty—uh—I mean—”

Your heart jumped into your throat, and suddenly it was difficult to breathe. Because AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

“Uhm—” you frantically tried for something to do; hair behind your ears, leaning back and forth on your heels. “Thank you. Thanks.” Heat flooded your cheeks. Percy was already scarlet in the face, nodding frantically, avoiding your eyes.

When you looked up, Athena watched from a distance, and then looked away, as if she hadn’t been interested at all. But you weren’t about to let her ruin what just happened—Percy called you pretty.

“I was thinking,” he shoved out. You turned your head, blinking expectantly. “I owe you a dance, don’t I? We got interrupted at Westover Hall, right?”

This time, you allowed yourself to smile, your heart and lungs expanding.

“Right.” You took his hand, shaking.

The music played on, a gentle tune of the future, the past, and the present.

—

Chiron greeted you all at the Big House with hot chocolate and toasted cheese sandwiches. Grover went off to his satyr friends, telling them all about his brief experience with Pan.

Annabeth, Percy and yourself sat with Chiron by the fire. A couple of others joined you, too—Clarisse, back from a quest of her own it seemed. Her hair was cut short, like somebody had hacked it with scissors without a care, and there was a jagged scar on her chin. For once, she kept quiet.

“I got news,” she said glumly. “Bad news.”

“I’ll fill you in later,” Chiron said with forced cheerfulness. “The important thing is you’ve prevailed. And you’ve saved Annabeth!”

The Stoll brothers were there, too. You hadn’t even looked Travis in the eye. The high of the short dance with Percy had worn off, that tiny spark of normality had gone, and left you with the sadness you’d been feeling before it. You struggled with getting Bianca and Zoe’s deaths from the front of your mind, and Thalia’s moving on. Everybody was leaving, it felt like. And everybody was too happy for what had happened along the way.

Percy, sitting next to you in front of the fire, felt the same. You could tell by the sheer look of something bordering on a deep sadness he had.

You didn’t speak.

Annabeth talked about Atlas, and where she had been kept. She yawned the whole way through, still shaking with weakness even after some ambrosia.

Chiron’s positivity spread a little bit to you tired campers, but in the end, the unwavering need to go somewhere and cry won. You set down your mug of hot chocolate, and walked away. Another chair scratched the floor behind you, as you walked away toward the fields.

“Let her be,” you heard Chiron utter. “She needs time.”

You heard happy babbling just as you wandered away, boyish, childish talking. You looked to the left, and there was Nico di Angelo, two figurines in hands, talking to himself the way children tend to do. Every organ in your body twisted painfully, and you got away before he could see you. You couldn’t be the one to tell him Bianca was long gone. You still didn’t want to believe it yourself.

The air was bitter cold, your fingertips numb already. Snow fell lightly as you wandered into where you probably shouldn’t have been. You didn’t get far until his voice caught you up.

“Scout?”

You stopped, the snow crunching quietly. Behind you, Travis grew closer until he was right in front of you. You hadn’t even realized how tall he’d gotten until you saw him again, like seeing him in a different light.

Bundled in a red sweater and jeans, a coat and scarf atop of that, he still shivered.

“I just need to go for a walk. I’ll be alright later.” You shrugged.

Silence captured the air. Until he said, “Chiron…mentioned what happened to Nico’s sister. And the Hunter girl. Zoe. I’m—I’m so sorry.”

The first tear fell without any effort. And then you grew too cold too quickly. And crumbled.

He enveloped you instantly, as if without thought—like the action would be unknown, to hesitate in your arms. Against his warm, soft chest, Travis’s heart beat gently against your ear, his hands coming up carefully to your back, to your shoulder.

Safety.

And at the end of it—Travis.

You allowed yourself the tears. Your hands scrunched at his shirt. He smelled of the outside weather, of wind

of life.

—

PAIN. So, we’ve reached the end of Titans Curse! How are we feeling so far about relationships and eve thing? Feedback is always appreciated!

taglist: @bl6o6dy @embersparklz @lilyevanswhore @rottenstyx @rory-cakes @i-am-scared-and-useless-bisexual @marshmallow12435 @lantsovheiress @distinguishedmakerpandapatrol @twsssmlmaa @gayandfairycore @padsfirewhisky @emu281 @charlesswife @jessiegerl @crackerphobic20 @mata0-0mata @jccc1000 @xx-all-purpose-nerd-xx @nothankyou138 @i-love-books-and-the-bible @obxstiles

if they’re not highlighted, it wouldn’t let me tag you!

this chapter’s quite short. I didn’t want to drag it out too much.

aaaaand I’ve added a few more songs to the playlist (on my profile if you don’t have it saved!) if you want to give them a listen. thanks for reading!

[fabricated-misslieness]

ᴘᴀɪʀɪɴɢ: tyler owens x cowboy male reader

ꜱᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ: there's a new cowboy at the rodeo tyler used to ride for, and tyler's itching to get to know him.

ᴡᴏʀᴅ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛ: 4.06k

ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢꜱ: plenty swearing, implied death in an acted play

ᴍᴀʏʙ'ꜱ ɴᴏᴛᴇ: cowboy slang vocabulary

☾⋆☆⋆☽

Rodeos are basically a second home for the famous Tornado Wrangler, Tyler Owens. This particular one he visits as often as he can, on weekend evenings to watch the show he used to ride for.

Sometimes, he misses it. He misses the blinding lights that make him forget he's in a glorified pit rather than a stage, and the whistling cheers and claps as he's fighting for his life on the back of a bull; most of all, he misses seeing his cowboy friends damn near every day for practice, especially the old rats that twister-signals him every time they spot each other.

Speaking of, he always tries to waive the fee for his ticket, and when he's too stubborn to accept, they bump down the $15 dollar price to a $3. Not that he ever agrees to that, either. He wants to support them.

All that history means he can always tell when they hire a new cowboy for the show, and this one, well, whew. Isn't he a looker?

Probably, anyway. The cowboy poncho's doing nothin' for his figure, and he's got his scarf up over his nose like the less pleasurable corona's still going around, but he's always had a little thing for cowboys with rat tails and hats over their eyes. Silly little things they are to want to act a mystery–fellers'll often get exposed one way or another–but there's just something about you that lassoes him in.

When Liam sees him walking over after the show, a purposeful look in his eye, he has to ask if he's coming back. "You finally quittin' your storm chaser business, cowpoke? We're startin' to miss ya."

"No, not today. Maybe when I'm forty." Tyler indulges him with a far off idea, like he always does to make small talk, but today he just can't wait to get to the point. "Who's the tenderfoot?"

"Oh, (Y/N)?" Liam chuckles, like a pleasant memory already brightens his mind just from the name. "He's good, ain't he?"

"Yeah, y'all train 'em for three months beforehand." Tyler brushes it off. He was good, but that wasn't the point, and–

"He's a total Bronc Buster, actually."

"Yeah, yeah," He dismisses it once more. "why the scarf? And the hat over his eyes?"

"We're starting a new thing next week." Liam strikes him with that famous excited grin of his, the one that often makes you forget how stern he can get, "Theatre plays on horseback."

"Plays on horseback–?"

"Yeah!" He replies with a nod like it's nothing. "Well, it's just regular plays without a stage, proper backdrops or a light crew," He lists off, then realizes just how depressive that must sound, "and real horses."

"Yeah, that's great, Liam, but why does that matter, exactly?" Tyler still had that one objective in mind, and that's finding out the mystery behind the newest cowboy on horseback.

"He's playin' the villain, of course. Gotta tease the man before we premier the show, builds up the anticipation, obviously."

"Right, right..." Though he trails off, he tries to act as though he knew the obvious marketing strategy, because obviously you put a man in a poncho and obstruct his vision so he looks like a good villain—that aside, he can't deny it worked.

"Look, dabster," Liam's the one waving him off this time, "he'll do fine, we'll do fine! We've rehearsed a lot, and we're sure it's a good idea."

"Uh-huh?"

"Just make sure to come on Friday rather than the weekend." Liam digs his finger into Tyler's chest, looking him in the eye so the man knows he's serious. "I mean it. We're only airing this thing on Fridays, it's long as all hell, Ty."

"How long?" Tyler deadpans.

"Pfft." Liam waves it off, "Long. Like Broadway up north. Lotta acting, intermission to push our food sales, then more acting. Climax, boom, tears and victory."

"Y'know the famous ones like Hamilton run for under three hours, right?" Tyler raises a brow. "Like a movie?"

"Like they say, you can't rush art, Tyler." Liam pats Tyler's shoulder twice reassuringly before he's pushing past and calling out his goodbyes with a yell. He had to leave with a one-liner, huh?

The buckaroo's just yammering, Tyler thinks to himself as he watches his old friend walk off. He only notices that he didn't get to ask for the new guy's number when his faraway figure gets to the size of a bean.

☾⋆☆⋆☽

"Flee, Danika, flee!" You shout to your horse as you barrel dive into cover. She does as promised, fleeing just far enough away that she'll hear your whistle once you've dealt with these bad, bad men.

With your back pressed against a rock and bullets just wooshin' past, you let the empty shells fall from your chamber to the ground and replace them. One by one, pressure's on, your fingers twitch, but they don't hesitate.

You'll get out of here alive, you always do.

You heave a breath, then another, a steady stream of inhales n' exhales, you're calming your heartbeat and will shoot with its rhythm.

Three, two...

Leaning over the edge of the rock, you aim.

Three, two, one.

Three men gone, off their horses and thudding against the harsh, hard ground, but there's more, ridin' in from the east and already prepping their aim. You scramble to get off your ass and into proper cover, the hay shed will do.

There's sweat over your face, it's making your scarf stick. You can't think about taking it off now, lest any of those boys make it out alive and see your face.

As the beat of the hooves comes to a stop, you peak 'round the open side of the shed and shoot.

Three, two, click, click, click.

Gods be damned, you've run out of bullets. You rush to flick open the chamber and empty the shells to replace them; the process is as natural as breathing to you, but not quite as fast.

A man rounds the corner, and you instinctively whip your revolver at his head to result in a crack that sounds all too real.

As the man thuds behind you, you peek around the corner with fresh bullets.

"We'll get you, you sonuvah gun!" The last of the reinforces is a coward, or a scout, as he's now ridin' away on his horse, but he's too gracious a host to consider leaving you without a parting gift.

The bullet that was meant for his head gets the dynamite that's gliding its way towards you, catching it mid air and detonating it early, before it gets you.

The force of the faroff explosion nearly knocks your hat off your head and your ass to the ground, if you hadn't already been there.

"Lord almighty..." You let your revolver fall to the ground harmlessly–which bounces off a little more than it's really meant to–and sigh.

The hat comes off, then the scarf, and you breathe, breathe, breathe.

You're alive, and you've got more enemies. Oh, who cares? What's a few more names to the list?

☾⋆☆⋆☽

As the crowd finally sees the villain's face for the first time, people whistle and ooh at the him.

Tyler's gut feeling was right: he is a looker.

That aside, the storm chaser had to admit, old Liam was onto something, even with the noticeably fake props. The only thing he's wondering is why it's been one hour and the regular rodeo show is resuming as usual. It's not intermission, cause they're not pushing food marketing as Liam said they would.

He doesn't have to ponder very long as he meets up with his old friend again.

"I took your advice to heart, actually. I knew the ol' star would be exhausted after all of it, so I thought we'd split it over a month, and play the same section all weekend. More ticket sales."

Tyler raised a brow at the mention of the protagonist, "Ol' star? He had one scene."

"Not him," Liam says it like he should know, like they're both back in front of the drawing board again, "(Y/N)."

"The villain's the star?" Tyler deadpans.

Liam chuckles in turn, "Didn't you hear the crowd when we finally revealed his face?"

"Oh." Tyler shakes his head, "Well, ain't he dyin' later? Stars don't die."

"Ehhh..." Liam waves his hand and shakes his head side to side in a kind of gesture. "It's implied."

"It's implied?"

"Endings are best left up to interpretation!" The man flourishes with a grand gesture, heaving more energy around than Tyler's used to seeing from him. This thing must really be a passion project. "Don't ruin it, for me, son."

Tyler raises both his hands in surrender at that. "You won't see nothin' from me, old man."

Tyler lets him walk off this time, he deserves that much; only then does he realize that he hasn't got the new guy's number. Again.

☾⋆☆⋆☽

"Negotiations? I don't do negotiations." You're huddled behind cover, hidden from view as you talk with the alleged big huncho of the mining camp. He brought reinforcement, nothing you can't handle, but it could still spell trouble.

"I like to look at a man when I'm talkin' to him."

You scoff. "Like hell I'll peek. You'll blow my head clean off if I try."

"I'm a man of my word." He insists, his deep jazzy voice just screaming a man of wealth and contracts.

"And so am I, but you wouldn't trust that." Idly, you check the chamber of your revolver, having learned from your mistakes. Six bullets, not shells, ready to be fired.

"Touché, good sir."

"Good sir?"

"As I understand it," The man says, his voice is strong to reach your ears but it ain't threatening, "you just want a cut of my money."

"And if I do?" You click the chamber back in place, listening for out of place sounds like footsteps.

"I'm willing to pay." Oh, that haughty bastard really thinks he's gonna get you with that?

"Like hell you are." You laugh, a loud thing so you make sure he hears that you're not gullible.

As the big man begins to speak again, surely more lies that are meant to coerce you into taking the bait, you throw a stray wood chip up into the air.

Bang!

The split second after it sees the light of day, the wood chip is shot to splinters, right as you'd expected.

"I think negotiations are over, sir..?"

"Cornwall." The man sighs out his name. "Good day to you, sir."

"Good day, sir Cornwall."

☾⋆☆⋆☽

As he often finds himself doing nowadays, Tyler goes around searching for Liam to talk about a particular someone. Little does he know that where he usually finds his old friend, he'll finds someone else.

"Excuse me," He begins politely, not recognizing the man from behind. "have you seen Liam?"

When you turn around to reply instead of another cowboy he might know, his little stunned gaze makes your words take on a confused tone. "He's playing his part in the pit..?"

"Oh." Tyler has barely any time to register that Liam's actually taking part in the acting biz before he's scrambling to greet you properly. "You're (Y/N), right? The new guy?"

"That's me." You nod your head and take a sip from your bottle. In a couple minutes you'll be back in the show again, so you're making the most of your small break. "And you?"

"Um, Tyler. Tyler Owens. Does Liam not talk about me?"

As the star of the million-follower YouTube channel Tornado Wranglers, Tyler thinks he's kind of a big deal around Oklahoma, especially around here as he used to ride for the local rodeo. He's usually not an arrogant guy, unless he decides to play it up for the competition, but...he finds that his ego is a little bruised now.

"I'm just playin' with you, poppet. Liam never stops singing his praises 'bout you." You offer your hand for a shake, a well placed gesture if you hadn't just called him poppet.

Tyler flushes a little, because, well, poppet's quite an endearing term and you're hot and there's something about men that are sweaty and out of breath. He manages to shake your hand without making a fool of himself anyway. "What does Liam say about me?"

"He said that you've taken a million kicks from bulls and you still managed to go an get yourself a fancy degree, that you're tough as nails and can always tell when he slips you belly wash." You list off a couple of less than good things about him in detail so excrutiating that Tyler knows Liam's said them time and time again. "Oh, and that you always rode pretty well."

Tyler comes out of it a little embarrassed, and his voice therefore comes out meek, like he hasn't spoken for a while. "Yeah?"

"Yeah." You laugh and pat his shoulder. "You know how Liam is, he'll point out how you're a hill of beans and then praise ya."

His shoulders deflate with relief and he laughs along with you. "Yeah, I know 'im."

"Truth be told, it's kinda nice to hear about the real man as opposed to the Tornado Cowboy persona." You say it kind of sheepishly, which is rather nice to see when he's only ever had a cocky you to compare to.

Plus, you'd just admitted that you watch his videos, making his grin widen. "You a fan?"

"Don't get too full o' yourself, cowboy." You point a finger at him, huffing a laugh. "I see you in the stands every week."

He could just say it's because this play is an ongoing thing with a new sorta 'episode' each week, which is the truth, or he could flirt along. "You caught me," He hisses like it's a big deal and it's embarrassing to be caught. "I am your biggest fan."

"You like anti-heroes, do ya?" You chuckle, narrowing your eyes at him.

"I'm as gullible as everyone else, darlin'. I'll like any villain so long as they're hot n' ride good." He sends a wink over, because there ain't no subtlety when there's a crowd just a ways away you've gotta shout over.

You wolf-whistle in turn, "Is that so, poppet?"

"I'm being simon-pure." He insists, tipping his hat for extra measure.

This is going well for Tyler, you're responsive to his flirting and you can match it too. Unfortunately, good things always have to come to an end.

"Listen, Tyler," You indulge him with a laugh but unfortunately point towards the stage. "I don't wanna miss my cue, so I've got to...well, you know. What I'm saying is..."

"Wanna grab a root later?" Tyler takes the opportunity to ask first, eagerly at that.

"Yeah," You smile, grateful that he took the opportunity. "yeah, uh, want my number?"

It's the fourth week in a row Tyler watches another figure walk off on a Friday evening, but this time he's got his prize secured, and he's left more hopeful than regretful.

☾⋆☆⋆☽

These stubborn miners are just setting up more and more defenses, to the point where you're pondering what marks the difference between a mining camp and a Pinkerton camp. Is it gun count or armed miner count?

You settle into prone on a ridge overlooking the camp to make your figure less noticeable amidst the bright sky–earning you a couple strange bird caws from onlooking eagles–and scout out with your binoculars.

"Tall fences," You begin to mutter under your breath. "sniper outposts on the roof, a guard at the wagon rail, no, two; several on each little path in and out."

And...is that a Gatling gun? "Ugh, seriously?"

"What is it, my darling?" Your sweetheart calls from behind you. Before you can answer, she's rolling you over onto your back and settling half on your lap. The geese in V-formation above caw louder.

"Nothing to worry your pretty little head about." You assure, a nice smile on your face as you steady the gal.

You couldn't worry her, no, you're doing this all for her, after all. It's not her fault her daddy got their family into a deep, six foot grave kind of debt before the man got himself killed in a fishing trip gone wrong, after all.

"There is always somethin' to worry over." She giggles, hands trailing over your chest, pulling your attention away for the moment.

"I know, poppet, but–"

"You're worryin' right now." She points out, drawing circles over your heart with her pointer.

You sigh, "I know."

"Let me take your handsome lil' mind off it, can I?"

She's already leaning down before you can even say no.

☾⋆☆⋆☽

As soon as you start kissing up that pretty girl in that pit you take for a stage, Tyler looks down at his phone. He taps the screen impatiently, almost as if you'll answer him right now while you're up there, all busy.

Hey, it's Tyler. It was nice meeting you.

How does six at the Hay Shed sound?

"He ghosted me." Tyler groans. It's covered up by the sound of the ooh-ing crowd, but he doesn't much care if it's heard or not. "Seriously, I find a man as fine as cream gravy, and he ghosts me?"

It was too good to be true. You're hot, you called him poppet, and you were receptive to his flirting; too good to be true.

...

"Liam, hey! Can I borrow a horse?"

Nothing's better for clearing the mind than a good horse ride right before sunset, it's like long walks at the beach. Tyler often found that it was also great for dealing with break ups or, in this situation, not even making it to the talking stage.

He doesn't check his phone, doesn't even realize it's vibrating in place with it in the saddle bag. Instead, his eyes are straight ahead.

He's riding towards the sunset like it's the end of a movie, and what a poor, short movie it is.

It's fine. It's fine, it really is. It's not like he was already mashed, anyway, no sir! He's just disappointed. It's a big cavernous feeling in his chest like it's empty, when it's really filled with something none too good.

"Ah," Tyler sighs out, hopefully exhaling all them feelings. He pats the horse, watches its ears twitch as he talks. "You understand me, big guy?"

He's too caught up in feeling sorry for himself to hear someone else riding up beside him.

"Perfect spot for a first date, huh?"

"Holy shit, what the fuck?" Tyler damn near falls off his horse. He has to hold onto the reigns with white knuckles in order not to.

"You done airin' your lungs, poppet?" You only grin in return, pointing out your shirt pocket, at your phone. "I shot you a text."

Tyler huddles closer to his horse's neck. Though he's still heaving recovering breaths, he finds the sass to say, "About a week late."

"Yeah, 'm sorry about that." You rub the back of your neck, your smile melting with shame. "I'm kind of a busy man."

"Oh, yeah?" He shoots back with furrowed brows and a scowl.

"Yeah, I totally deserve that." You bow your head a little, "It's just, I work the show all weekend, and I was so exhausted comin' back in on Tuesday that it totally slipped my mind."

Oh.

"Let me make it up to you?" You ask hopefully, looking at him with those sheep's eyes, and it makes him feel a little guilty.

"I'm sorry." Tyler says quickly, straightening up and all and mirroring your apologetic look.

"No, no, it's totally fine!"

"I mean, I totally didn't realize–"

So there you both are, spewing excuses to be sorry for each other, guilt eating away at you like worms do a book. There seems to be no end to it. Your pseudo-argument stretches as far as the horizon, up until the sun sets below it.

"Seriously, let me make it up to you." Before he can even reply, you continue. "You said the Hay Shed, yeah? I'll buy our dinner, no big deal."

"I–" Tyler starts up, but you shoot him a pointed look, quieting him down. "Okay."

"Okay, good." That nice, charming smile of yours builds up again, and he almost swoons.

"Race you?" He smiles back, tipping his head forward.

You're already shifting into proper form. "Oh, you're on, cowboy."

☾⋆☆⋆☽

You're sitting in your porch in that old rocking chair of yours, your white hair sweeping off your forehead as an easy breeze blows past. Your fingers tap to the rhythm of your boy playing the guitar and his mother singing along. Ranch life has treated both you and Danika well. The old girl gets to snack on sugar cubes every day while you got to lock your revolvers away and sip on fine liquor every night after dinner.

It's been a good life, you think as you watch the sun set. Your sins are long behind you.

...this isn't how you planned to die.

No, not in this damn cave away from your girl, slowly choking on fumes, trapped in by a cave in.

Somewhere, distantly, you can hear that good for nothing hero laughing like old Saint Nick himself, shouting to the world his victory.

It's not even his, you think stubbornly, because you won't give him the victory of thinking your death is his to brag about, it's this damned fire and these damned rocks.

You were so, so close. You've killed dozens of men just to get in this gods-damned gold mine and steal a couple nuggets for your girl, and you almost made it out.

This is how you'll die, all alone here choked by a fire.

Oh hells. If you're going to die you might as well die by the hands of a man who's actually worthy of the kill.

Shakily, you lift your hand.

This world was shit. Hope the next is greener.

☾⋆☆⋆☽

"Ah, oh god, fuck off!" Tyler shouts, and despite all that fight to shove your lips off his chin and his face, he's laughing.

"What, am I not pretty enough for ya, darlin'?" You pull him closer with warm–noticeably not scalding–hands at his waist, puckering your lips playfully at him.

There's black makeup, soot, over your face: on your cheeks, 'round your eyes, on your forehead, everywhere.

"Go boil your shirt!" With one shove, he pushes you so hard you fall into your vanity chair. The flimsy old thing rocks from side to side before settling back down with your weight on it.

You roll your eyes, picking up a makeup wipe once stabilized to begin cleaning yourself off. "If you didn't like me, you just had to say so."

"Don't be like that." Before you can answer, he's turning your chair and sitting on your lap, though when you try to kiss him, he pushes you away again. "You're not done yet, cowpoke."

You huff and whine, and you'd kick your feet if you could, like it's the worst shame in the world.

"Don't pitch a fit at me." He points a finger at you and you laugh in turn.

"No, of course not, darling."

Tyler waits patiently as you wipe the makeup off, realizing as he does that he's been through worse shit: the biggest tornadoes, the harshest thunder storms, and the stickiest mud. Although to be fair, he hasn't had mud that transfers as easily as this cheap makeup does on his face before.

"That good enough?" He shakes his head, prompting you to huff and wipe your face again. "Now?"

It's still not good enough for him. Fortunately, he snatches up the wipe and passes it over your face himself. It feels as rough as a cat's tongue or your dad hosing you down after you tracked mud around the house, and you're fixing to speak your mind about it.

"There you are." Tyler's face emerges from behind the wipe, a wide, teasing smile on his face that tells you he was wiping you off longer than he needed to. "Apple-pie order."

His lips are on yours right after that, drowning you with a toad strangler of love. Your complaints die out right on your tongue, because how could you ever be mad at him?

Answer is: you can't.

☾⋆☆⋆☽

ɴᴏᴛᴇ: i watched this movie in spanish so i don't know what tyler's cowboy nickname is in english and i've also forgotten some details in the movie (ex: if it was mentioned that scott and javi are ex-boyfriends, i literally did not notice until i read the wiki)

[writtenbymisunderstoodnerds]

Blind date (Tierna Davidson x Reader)

This is barely edited and I'm not sure if a museum like this even exists, but use your imagination. Hope you enjoy :)

Words: 2.5k

"Oi dumbass, get up," Tobin called from the bathroom before throwing a shoe at me when I didn't respond.

"Fuck off Tobin." I growled trying to go back to my nap.

"No, you have to get up."

"Why? There is literally nothing happening today."

"You have a date in a couple of hours that you need to plan."

I sat up, looking at her like she was crazy. A date was the last thing on my mind at the moment, the last thing I wanted to do, "What? With who?"

"You'll find out later."

Tobin didn't know who I had feelings for, but she knew they existed. Normally I would tell Tobin everything, but seeing as the person was her teammate, I decided against it for the time being,  "Tobin what the hell? You know I have feelings for someone, why the hell would you set me up?"

"Because you've been pining after this person for almost a year without any thought of asking her out. Either you ask her out or you go on this date."

"I don't want to do either. One will make things awkward and the other will make me lead a poor girl on."

She rolled her eyes, "Suck it up, it's one date. You'll live."

"How do I even know where to take her? I have no plan, I know nothing about her, not even her name. You could have given me more then a couple hours notice."

"She likes art, museums, photography, music and Italian food. That should help, you have to make a real effort on this. As for more warning, that would have given you more chance to make up an excuse to get out of it."

There was no getting out of this. Tobin was stubborn just like me, there was no way she was going to cancel and this mystery women was going to show up regardless. It wasn't the mystery girls fault, so with that little bit of information I started to make a plan, "Okay fine. Tell her to wear something nice, but casual." 

There was only an hour and a half until my date arrived, she was coming here first so Tobin could introduce us. I quickly made a call to one of my friends who happened to work at a nice Italian restaurant, there was a very slim chance of getting a reservation this late. Thankfully, my friend managed to come through and got the last reservation at her place.

After showering I got dressed changed into black skinny jeans, a maroon long sleeve button up, my black leather jacket and Chelsea ankle boots. As much as I didn't want this date I was going to put some effort in, after all it wasn't her idea so why take it out on her. Once dressed I moved onto my hair. My hair was shoulder length, red dyed hair. I was never one to put effort into my hair so I just went with a simple braid. There was a knock on the door as I was half way through the braid. Tobin yelled for me, "Hold your horses, I'll be out in a minute." I quickly finished the braid before heading back into the room. To my utter surprise, Tierna was standing next to Tobin. She was wearing light blue skinny jeans, a relaxed white blouse and a casual black blazer. 

Tierna was the girl I had developed feelings for. Being team photographer, I had spent a fair amount of time with her and the team which had led to many friendships formed. Though my feelings had developed fairly quickly which had stopped me from building much of a friendship with Tierna out of fear and awkwardness. I didn't know if Tobin knew about my feelings for Tierna, but it would be one hell of a coincidence if she didn't. 

I cleared my throat realising I had been staring for too long, "Uh hey Tierna."

Tierna smiled shyly, "Hi Y/n."

After a minute of slightly awkward silence, Tierna and I left the hotel. The slightly awkward silence continued as we walked down the street. Despite knowing Tierna, I had no idea where to even start a conversation. I struggled when not on a date with her, but I was even more nervous than normal. I had no idea if Tierna even liked me or if Tobin had set her up as well. 

"So um how did Tobin get you to agree to this?"

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Tiernas cheeks flush red. She always was adorable when she blushed. "She called me out for liking you which was terrifying because she's your older sister and I was worried about being murdered."

I laughed a bit at that. Tobin was only protective when she needed to be, she never cared about me dating, but as soon as I got hurt, you should be afraid. "Oh no, Tobin doesn't care until someone hurts me. Wait, you like me? How?"

"Uh yeah. You were just so genuine and funny when we first met, it just kind of happened. I thought I was hiding it pretty well by not interacting with you much when we were alone, but apparently she caught be staring and blushing a lot. How did you get roped into this?"

"Well Tobin told me about 2 hours ago about this date and I had no choice. I didn't think she knew about my feelings for you, I'm starting to question that though. Did she say anything about it?"

"She said you liked me. I didn't really believe her, but I figured I would take the chance and come up with something later if it backfired. I'm sorry you were put on the spot."

"It's okay, I'm not mad about it. Well not anymore anyway. Just kinda nervous that this will be a crap date given my time constraints. If I had known it was you, I would have tried harder to make it what you deserve."

Tiernas cheeks flushed once again as she looked anywhere, but at me, "Honestly, I've been wanting this for a while now so I'm sure whatever you planned will be perfect because it's with you. What are we doing anyway?"

My heart fluttered at her confession. I never would have imagined Tierna ever feeling the same way. I wanted it to be a surprise though, "You'll see."

We made small talk while we walked. I was still being slightly awkward, it was to be expected. I hadn't been on a date in over a year, even before that it didn't happen often. My focus was for a long time on getting my career where it is now. "So you own your own photography company right? You're just contracted to us?"

I started out as a low level photographer at some pet photography place, I worked incredibly hard and managed to book a few non pet related shoots. Things just grew from there, soon enough I was opening my own photography business, doing shoots from birthdays to weddings to pretty much anything people wanted. I had grown to have a few people working for me so when I got approached about working with the USWNT I decided to take the position because it meant getting more time with my sister. I was a little bit surprised when they did approach because normally they just hire someone. Tobin had confessed a few months later that she had showed them my work and hyped me up.

"That's amazing, your family must be proud."

"My parents took a while to come to terms with it, I wouldn't say they're proud though. Tobin is proud, but thinks I need to get out more, that there's more to life than a job."

"It's more than just a job for you though, isn't it? You created something from the ground up, the way you talked about it's clear you love what you do."

"For the longest time I had no idea what I wanted to do. I was always envious of Tobin for knowing exactly what she wanted. I studied business because that's what my parents wanted, but I hated it, guess it came in handy though."

Tierna stopped walking to look at me, curiosity covering her face, "Why photography? That's a big jump from business."

I started walking again, we had to get to the museum so we had time to have a proper look around before dinner. Also, spending too much time looking at Tierna made me even more nervous. This was probably the longest we had spent alone or spoken to each other. "I know right. There's not some big story behind it. One of my friends was an arts major and needed help with a photo one day. It was fun and I guess I was hooked. From there I just started doing it. To say the least, my parents didn't necessarily approve at first which in a way drove me to where I am now. Oh we're here."

The museum was a very large glass building, lit up on the outside by white lights. Tiernas expression instantly lit up with excitement as she kind of bounced up and down, "It's beautiful. I love museums. This is the one that just opened right?"

"Yup." I took her hand dragging her inside. What could I say? I was super excited. Once we were inside I became painfully aware that I was still holding her hand. She didn't make any move to pull it away though so I didn't either. Our hands remained joined as we walked around though as we walked we continued to get closer. At one point, Tierna ended up cuddled against my side as I rambled about something random. I don't think I've ever felt so flustered yet excited and comfortable at the same time. All I knew was I wanted that to happen more often.

This museum had a lot of different areas to it. It was pretty much all the different types in one. Science, space, history and art all in one. I'm pretty sure there was also a marine mammal section which for me is a close second to the space section. At heart I was a giant nerd, I loved it all especially space. The look on Tiernas face told me she loved it. It was a relief. This date didn't mean much it the beginning, it was just a forced thing. Now that I knew it was Tierna, I kind of wish I had done more. 

"While I could stay here all night, we have to go." Tierna pouted, I knocked her shoulder gently with mine to get her to stop, "Nope, stop that. We have dinner reservations so if you don't want to eat we can stay."

"Hmm fine, I guess I am hungry."

We left the museum, hands still intertwined. Walking down the street I listened to Tierna talk about all her favourite parts of the museum. She was rambling again, I didn't mind though. I liked listening to her talk. Her voice was soft and soothing yet slightly raspy. Yup, I didn't mind at all. We came to a stop outside the restaurant. It was a small family run Italian place, that had amazing food.

"No way, I love this place. Didn't Tobin only tell you about our date like 2 hours before? How did you get a reservation? This place is usually booked out on a Friday."

"My friend works here, she managed to get us in."

The awkwardness had long disappeared and conversation became easier. During dinner I got to know Tierna better. Anyone who knew Tierna knew she was on the more quiet side, but she easily talked about her childhood, likes, dislikes, hobbies and pretty much anything else. Turns out I loved listening to her talk. I was also paying special attention to her likes, dislikes and hobbies for future dates or gifts. I had every intention of spoiling Tierna if we our relationship developed. Tierna deserved the world and I would do my best to give it to her if she let me.  

Eventually our reservation time came to an end so we made our way outside. Tierna started shivering instantly so I slipped my jacket off and wrapped it around her shoulders, "Here."

"You're going to be cold," Tierna protested.

"I'm fine, I don't get cold that easily. You need it more than me."

"Thank you. I know you didn't really want this, but I've had an amazing time tonight Y/n/n."

Tierna stepped closer as I retook her hand, lacing our fingers together. She pulled me closer so we were almost touching. "I've wanted this since we met T. This just wasn't how I wanted it to happen, but I'm also glad it did because I don't think I would have told you anytime soon."

I made the last move, pulling her in and connecting our lips in a slow kiss. It was tentative at first, both slightly unsure and nervous. After a few seconds, Tiernas hand cupped the back of my neck, deepening the kiss. My confidence rose with that, my arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her against me. Normally, kissing someone like this on a public sidewalk was not something I would ever do, PDA made me incredibly uncomfortable, but I was finally kissing the girl I've wanted for almost a year. Let's just say it felt incredible. When air became a problem, we slowly pulled away, a smile spread across my face as a giggle slipped out. There wasn't anything else planned for tonight, though I really didn't want the night to end yet. 

I racked my mind for anything that we could do when I remembered an ice cream shop that was open late, "Do you want to get ice cream and walk along the pier? I know a place that's still open."

Tierna cuddled against my side as we started walking again, "I would love to."

"Good because I don't want tonight to end yet."

Tobin smirked as I flopped down on my bed with a no doubt dopey smile. It was well after midnight so I was slightly hoping Tobin was asleep. I didn't want to deal with her smugness, not when there was still some resentment there.

"So how was the date?"

"How long have you known about my feelings?"

"A little while now. You're not really shy unless feelings are involved and normally you will talk to anyone, but you always got shy around T, you never really interacted much with her, always looking at her when she wasn't paying attention. Now how was the date?"

"It was really good. Thank you Toby."

"Anytime."

"No, literally never do this again. You have no idea how pissed I was at you, then how nervous I was that my plan wasn't good enough for Tierna. I know she liked it, but if I ever got the chance I wanted to make it really special. Like she deserves."

"I'm sorry, I just didn't think you would believe me if I told you she like you. It went well though? Did you make your move?"

I recounted our night as I got ready for bed, already knowing I would be too excited to sleep. Tierna and I were going out for brunch tomorrow. While I used to try my best to not be alone with her, now I couldn't wait to see her again. I couldn't wait to see how our relationship developed. 

[entertext]

HGSN 25-1

Chapter (Japanese)

(Please hit the green thumbs up at the end of the chapter to show support)

Rough translation by me

P1

Folktale: The Farmer's Head

A long long time ago, there was a greedy farmer and a kind farmer who went to the mountain to forage for food.

There, the greedy farmer found a big mushroom.

"This one is all mine!" said the greedy farmer.

Trying to hide the mushroom, he poked his head into a hole on the mountain. When all of a sudden...

Pop! His head fell off and into the hole!

Afraid, the kind farmer returned to the village as fast as he could.

When he got there, he found that at some point...

His basket had been filled with a ton of rice and delicious food!

P2

Dad: "That hole had been the mouth of the hungry mountain god."

Dad: "and in thanks for filling its stomach, the god had given the kind farmer a reward. And so the farmer lived happily ever after."

(sfx: close)

(sfx: cicadas)

Yoshiki: What kind of story is that...?

(sfx: cicadas)

Dad: Dad doesn't know either...

P3

(sfx: RAIN)

Dad: ...

Yoshiki: ...

P4

(sfx: RAIN)

Dad: ...How's school lately?

Yoshiki: ...It's fine. Normal.

Dad: I see.

Dad: Is there...something you're worried about or...?

Yoshiki: Actually, I want to ask about Hikaru's dad.

Dad: About what...?

Yoshiki: What did the Indou family do in the past?

Yoshiki: What's their "sin"?...

P5

Dad: Who did you hear that from?

Yoshiki: I found out on my own...

Yoshiki: It's something I need to know right now

(sfx: RAIN)

Dad: Why?

Yoshiki: ...

Dad: ...

Dad: ...Kouhei and I, we had talked about it and agreed

Dad: that we didn't want to burden our sons with that though...

P6

Dad: The men of the Indou family go to the mountain once every 5 years or so

Dad: To apologize...and to ask the god not to come down the mountain

(sfx: RAIN)

Yoshiki: Because the Indou family did something during the mass deaths in the past...?

Dad: ....Once, I asked Kouhei what the Indou family had done.

--

TV: {...after the bubble burst...clubs in Ginza...}

Kouhei: The reason the Indou family is hated is 'cause...

P7

Kouhei: The young head of the Indou family at the time had a wife, who fell sick during an epidemic and was made into a "head"

Kouhei: So he went to the mountain and offered up her head

Dad: Uh-huh...

Kouhei: And what do you think he asked for?

Kouhei: He said, "Bring my wife back to life!"

Kouhei: "You can have whatever head you want, just not the Indou family!"

Dad: Ah...whoa...that's already kinda...

Kouhei: Haha! And then...

P8

Kouhei: She really did come back to life!!

Dad: Huh? No way

Kouhei: And in exchange...

Kouhei: Within the day, a third of the village had died bizarre deaths

Kouhei: Deaths by hanging, cutting the throats of their family members and then themselves, having their head be trampled by horses, even cases where someone's head disappeared the moment you turned around

Dad: Wh...oa...All "heads"...

Kouhei: Right! And of course, the Indou family had zero deaths

P9

Kouhei: The wife who had come back to life...

Kouhei: Was still a severed head

Kouhei: So she suffered and died that night

Kouhei: Then, the strange deaths stopped as well

Kouhei: Strangely, after that, the harvests got better, and the epidemics became fewer.

Kouhei: Well, I guess my ancestor was also pretty unlucky...Apparently, up until that point, no matter how many heads you offered, nothing in particular would have happened.

P10

Dad: How much of that is true?

Kouhei: Dunno. But the head of that wife is still around.

Kouhei: So guess that's why they make the Indou family go up the mountain.

Dad: Huh!?

Kouhei: She's called "Indou Hichi"-san

Kouhei: Seems like even if you return her to the mountain, she comes back again somehow.

Dad: You're always...

Dad: Don't say stuff like that like it's nothing...You don't think anything of it?

Kouhei: No, it's not like that at all...

Kouhei: It's something I have to bear after all...

Kouhei: And it's something we have to pass down to our kids as well...

P11

Kouhei: Oh right!! That's why I wanna get married to Yuki-nee* quick!

Dad: Yuki-chan again?

Kouhei: In the Indou family, 'cause there was an incident like that, they say "If you have someone precious to you, you'd better get married quick and bring them into the Indou family."

Kouhei: 'Cause if they're a member of the Indou family, then that angry Unuki-sama won't take them away.

Kouhei: I gotta protect Yuki-nee!

Dad: Even though she turned you down 11 times? You creep.

Kouhei: Aw, shut up! Why do you even remember that!?

* -nee - affectionate suffix for an (older) woman

==

Next chapter: 2024/03/12

Twitter Extra (link):

If you had to pick one, Yoshiki resembles his mother more.

Both siblings inherited the tendency for moles from their father.

Comic:

Yoshiki: *sigh*

Dad: Huh!

Search suggestions:

Search bar:

"m"

"moles how to remove"

"moles lots why"

"moles so annoying"

"moles reason increase"

"moles removal DIY"

"moles world record"

Dad: So it bothers you that much...?

==

T/N

In chapter 14, Kouhei calls Yoshiki's dad "Toshi", but I'm not sure if that's his full name or a nickname, so leaving him as "Dad" for now.

The term used for "head" (kubi) can also refer to the neck specifically, so if you're wondering why deaths by hanging and cutting the throat count as "heads" here, that's why.

[castielmd]

Heaven can't wait. | S9EP06 |

I anticipated this episode with a lot of excitement (?) before I knew all the context of it. I knew Castiel was human and I was curious to see him in a different light. But oh man, I did not know what I was signing up for. This episode is (almost) nothing but sad — and whilst I forgot a lot of what happened previously due to my sporadic watching, I cannot not talk about it.

Disclaimer: It won't be Dean friendly.

Usage of tone tags.

/s - sarcastic/satire

/pos - positive

————

Setting the scene: Castiel, told by Dean that he cannot stay at the bunker, after finally having reached this safe place, managed to land a job at a Gas'n'Sip. He notices a series of deaths as he unpacks the newspaper and calls Dean to let him know. Dean goes to investigate the case — and after some initial exploration of his own, goes to find Castiel at his job. He shows up behind a lady in line.

Scene proceeds.

Dean [smiling wide]: I'll have some beef jerky and a pack of menthols.

Castiel [taken aback]: What are you doing here?

Dean: Gee, it's nice to see you, too, Cas.

I'm seriously stunned that Dean looks surprised and a bit irritated at Castiel's question. Dean has kicked him out of the safe place that he offered to Castiel before - I can imagine without much of an explanation. Now, Dean shows up at Castiel's work casually, as if he'd stop by to visit a normal friend on a normal day. I'd go as far as to say that paired with Dean's irritation, he might feel a little offended in this scene. It gives off the vibe "I am happy to see you, why does it seem like you aren't?" What Dean expected here, to me, isn't reasoned at all since they haven't particularly parted on good terms. Nor is the situation Castiel finds himself in one that implies perfect normalcy.

An assumed explanation would be that Dean is hoping/thinking Castiel would simply gloss over the fact that he has been dumped. If so - upon seeing that this wasn't the case, an apology or explanation would've been due. Instead, Dean tosses the ball back to Castiel and denies him the expression of his confusion and perhaps resentment. Now, Castiel has to reason his - understandable - behavior and explain himself to Dean.

Castiel: It's Steve now. And, uh, yeah you surprised me.

Dean: Well, the feeling is mutual. I mean, I knew you had to lay low from the angel threat, but uh, wow this is some cover.

Firstly, Dean agrees that the surprise is mutual — so factually I can assume he hasn't kept tabs on Castiel whatsoever. That's not a lot of concern for your friend that is hunted by his family, previously homeless and having been killed due to everyone's neglect of the situation.

Additionally, what caught my attention here, is Dean's usage of the word "cover", when referring to Castiel's work. To me, a derogatory note swings with the statement — if it isn't clear here, it'll become obvious later.

He's admitting that Castiel needed to disappear from the angels radar and in the process acknowledges the active threat looming over his friends head. At the same time, his rather demeaning way of talking about Castiel's job gives the impression that Dean deems this work beneath his level [even for a "cover" - hence this job isn't even good enough to serve as a superficial hiding space]. That's a rather high horse to sit on for someone who uses/used credit card tricks to pay his daily meals.

The usage of "cover" also implies that he doesn't recognize Castiel's blatant need for a job. He has expenses to pay now — food, clothing, water, a place to sleep.

Castiel: My grace is gone. What did you expect? Do you have any idea how hard it was? When I fell to earth, I didn't just lose my powers. I-" [looks aside, then back to Dean]

Castiel: I had nothing. Now, I'm a sales associate.

Dean: A sales associate?

Castiel: [while signing the paper]: I'm responsible for inventory, sales, customer service. I keep this place — thank you — clean and presentable. And when my manager is busy, I even prepare the food.

Dean: Wow. So you went from fighting heavenly battles, to nuking taquitos?

Castiel [nods]: Nachos, too.

Castiel picks up on the apparent image Dean seems to harbor: He takes away Dean's illusion of this being a cover by reinstating that losing his grace does not just involve losing his powers but everything else too. In my opinion, by asking Dean what he expected, he voices his disdain about Dean's blantantly ignorant behavior.

It's sad, but the thought that Castiel needs food, water, clean clothes and real money seems to have barely crossed Dean's mind. Add all of the emotional components to it: the loss of one's family, being hunted by it — and having death threats (!) on one's head + the guilt Castiel carries for being the one who caused their suffering.

In this scene, he has quickly assessed (by Dean's behavior and what he's said) that his friend hadn't spared his situation any thought below surface level. He expresses that he's faced hardships — and ultimately shatters the "cover" illusion by stating the obvious. Falling means having nothing. It means having a body to nourish at the same time. Essentially, he's lost a fundamental part of his identity.

But Castiel doesn't only stick to that resentment, grief and bitterness. No, he goes on and explains the upside. He takes away the demeaning aspect Dean has brought into the conversation by contrasting his past situation with his current standing. He has managed to land a job as a sales associate.

To him, it seems even more than that. He's lost everything - but now, he is making something of himself again. He states that he is a sales associate - it is a step towards building up his identity again - renewed. He's trying, and managing(!), to find himself again. [Note: I don't think Castiel wants to be a human/doesn't want to be an angel; but I am convinced after effectively being exiled from your home and your own species/family, you'll need to try and adapt to not fall into a dark pit. Castiel, imo, is coming to terms for now and trying to make the best of it.]

Dean, of course, can't believe it. He repeats what Castiel has said back to him — either in disbelief or in doubt. It seems as if Dean is questioning the worth Castiel is assigning his position. He seems to be questioning whether the title of a sales associate really is something Castiel is proud of — or if his job is being worth that high title. He's just a Gas'n'Sip employee after all (/s). But that's only the mean interpretation. Best case, Dean just used it to keep the conversation going.

Castiel, however, doesn't let himself be deterred. He continues to explain and list all his responsibilities: selling, tending to customers, and over all keeping this shop tidy and something customers enjoy going into. For him, to be in charge of the food whenever his manager is busy, even seems like a cherry on top. It is important to him — and really why shouldn't it be? He has achieved a structure, he is trusted in a position of power: to take care of the shop and its visitors.

Despite his attempts to show Dean that he has built something for himself, that he dragged himself out of what was essentially hell, Dean shoves the opposite in his face. Dean contrasts Castiel's past achievements to his achievements now, which are in stark contrast to one another. This is also an unnecessary reminder of what Castiel lost.

Why was there no "Wow, that's a lotta tasks. How long did it take you to learn them?" or "Nice job at landing this job."

No. The list of Castiels achievements gets torn apart in the air and replaced with underlying contempt: "You've been great, look at what you've become."

And yet Castiel persists on the importance of his tasks by not paying the comment much mind and instead adding onto it.

[Note; I am biased and reaching but: Making food, running a store - are both tasks that help us as a society and are needed. In a sense, Castiel is still helping others. Yet, this way doesn't align with what Dean deems a worthy cause. Therefore, it is a downgrade.]

Next scene.

Dean: This is not you, man. You're above this, come on!

Castiel: No, Dean. I'm not. I failed at being an angel. Everything I ever attempted came out wrong. But here, at least I have a shot at getting things right. I guess you can't see it, but there's a real dignity in what I do. A human dignity.

Here what I mentioned earlier comes into play: Deans derogatory note on Castiels job. What exactly would Castiel be above? Working? Or just working this job in particular, that doesn't suit Dean's taste because it isn't a high-end job?

For once, Dean mentions something that is partially right: that this isn't Castiel. He surely means it different than I do when I say I agree. It is, in fact, Castiel, but he's lost an integral part of his identity. He's experienced unimaginable loss, grief, and guilt. What he's doing now is what I mentioned earlier: adapt as much as he can and this way - find himself again. [However, the work (what Dean is referring to), rather speaks of who Castiel is /pos. That's where Dean would be wrong to say this isn't Castiel.]

Castiel himself corrects Dean on the second part — he isn't above this. Not this job, not this life, nothing. He's hit rock bottom and now makes do with what he can, successfully so. It is so heartbreaking that all Castiel can see are his failures. Not the kindness that sparked action — even if said actions had dire consequences. He also picked up on Dean's attitude towards his job; and denies that vision. This is work. This has dignity. What he does here matters.

I also think he's trying to come to terms with the loss of his angel identity (at least for the time being) by adding the last statement about this dignity being human. But that's just personal speculation.

Nora: Hate to interrupt you guys, but Steve, a customer had an accident in the men's room.

Castiel: I'm on it.

Nora: Oh- and, tonight, 7 at my place work for you?

Castiel: Great.

Nora: [smiles] You're the best.

Dean: [turns] That's what this is about.

Castiel: What?

Dean: The girl.

Castiel: No Dean, it's not.

Dean completely misses the point of anything Castiel has said before: losing everything, having responsibilities here, having hope to do good things here — and focuses only on the woman. Likely this is his attempt at making sense of why Castiel would be working such a job (he needs to) - but that doesn't make sense given Castiel has provided a detailed explanation. Dean's outright refusal to merge his perception of Castiel with reality. I have no clue why he is that deep in denial - I appreciate any theories.

Anyway scene goes on.

Castiel: Nora, she's a very nice woman. I'm pretty sure she's not a reaper intent on killing me, and she's asked me out. Going on dates, that's something humans do, right?

Dean: Yeah, I mean, my dates usually end when I run out of singles but eh, yeah, yeah that's something that humans do.

Not much to say on this except Castiel trying so hard to fit in, to make things work. He keeps reassuring himself — this job has /human/ dignity, going on dates is human, and so on. I think he's trying to come to terms with the fact that this is how it is for now. Maybe he is trying to make some positive experiences.

Next scene.

[Phone rings.]

Dean: This is Agent Lee Ermey. I'll be right there. [hangs up.] There was another kill, over at the highschool. You coming?

Castiel: I wouldn't be much use. I don't have my powers.

Dean: So? I've never had powers.

Castiel: You are a hunter.

Dean: And you are a hunter in training, remember?

Castiel: Yeah, I remember. And you said I sucked.

Dean: I didn't say that. I said that there was- uh- you know- room for improvement. Come on!

Castiel: [sighs] Alright, my shift's over in 5 minutes, and my date's not until later so-

Dean: Attaboy; I'll go get the car.

Castiel: Not just yet. I have to clean the bathroom.

Two things. It's so heartbreaking that it has come to the point where Castiel assigns his value only to the powers he possesses. And now that they are gone, he cannot see what contributions he could possibly make. Hm, I wonder how that came. ["He's fried.", *left in a mental health clinic with a demon neither brother trusted after becoming "a broken angel"*, "Call in another halo.", "Without your powers you're just a baby in a trenchcoat!" and so on.]

It is very important to me personally, that in this scene Castiel is shown to harbor resentment. He is perceptive and notices when someone's being mean to him. He rightfully reminded Dean that Dean said he sucked. ["You were bad everything."] Dean, best case jokingly (worst case seriously doesn't pay Castiel's grief any mind) denies that and shifts it into a more harmless version. This effectively invalidates Castiel's memories and feelings. Now he might've done so because he knew Castiel was right in his claim and he is put into an awkward position of having to admit it [which implies an apology would have to come too.] But Dean cannot face his mistake. He pushes it aside, giving the claim a "funny" twist and puts the blame on Castiel. Message sent "You're exaggerating." Message received.

Lastly: Dean is not listening to a word Castiel says unless it is agreeing with him. Castiel says his work finishes in 5 minutes — Dean immediately wants to leave.

Yes, I'll admit, in casual talk this can be interpreted as Castiel saying it's only five minutes left, so I might as well leave with you now. But given the context of the scenes:

Castiel told Dean he has responsibility in this job.

By highlighting that this job has dignity, that he wants to get things right, Castiel shows that this is important to him.

Castiel told Nora, in front of Dean, that he will clean up the mess.

The logical conclusion is to assume Castiel wants to finish his work and then leave.

Well, this is whatever. Miscommunication happens. [too often in their case.]

————

TL;DR: Castiel can explain himself however he wants to, it'll never be received.

I was going to analyze the whole episode but this has gotten too long and I don't want it to rot in my drafts forever. So I'm finishing it up and I'll get to take apart Castiel's and Ephraim's scenes later. Maybe I'll also look into Dean and Castiel's phone call at the start of the episode.

See you in a few months.

[st4rgrl4l1f3]

There was literally no excuse for the way Simon and Soap were the stupidest fucking people together. And only together. They are skillful soldiers, they always complete their mission. But holy fuck, take them out? Put them on a damn leash. It’s like two dogs trying to look at everything whilst on a walk.

Nothing could prepare Gaz for the way Price genuinely says shit like “whoopsies” “We’re in a bit of a jam, huh?” “Uh oh”. Kinda like if he was talking to a little kid. Gaz didn’t know why he used those kinds of words, here’s this special forces captain whom he thought was stone cold; apparently that only applies on the battlefield.

Alejandro’s mind was completely empty, watching Ghost, Soap and Gaz attempt to learn more Spanish. Soap couldn’t roll his R’s, Gaz sounded American whilst attempting to say a word that had been troubling him. It was Ferrocarril. Railroad. Ghost thought that turning Spanish subtitles on his show would help. It didn’t. “Joder, sois estúpidos de cojones..” (Holy shit, you guys are stupid as fuck..).

If Soap is mad, he won’t hesitate to scream. Yell. Only if it’s in the comfort of his home. Captain Price once came over and thought Soap was being attacked. No. He burned his breakfast. Running into the kitchen, gun in hand, he watches Soap pop more toast into the toaster. “Hope my eggs won’t get cold.” “Fuckin hell, Soap. I thought you were dying.” “No, I burned my toast.” “Fucks sake.”

Ghost genuinely cannot go a week without wreaking havoc. Scaring the shit out of people. He likes scaring the new young soldiers, ones who think they’re all that because they got into the military. That is, until Ghost comes up behind them, a heavy hand on their shoulder. “You ever been on the battlefield?” Said in a voice deeper than he’d normally go, but it was funny as shit to him, watching the soldiers jump and then looking straight into their eyes, watching as they attempt to politely disengage in the conversation.

Alejandro frequently plays video games, hard ones that he gets up on his high horse talking about “How hard can a Videojuego be?” (How hard can a video game be?” …Until he is red with rage, veins popping out of his forehead, hands shaking and squeezing the controller so tight that Rudy thought it was going to break. “No es tan grave, Alejandro ..” (It’s not that serious, Alejandro..” he says, getting more and more quiet as he spoke. Alejandro looked back at him, throwing the controller into the wall (denting it.) “You try then, Pendejo.” He says in a dark, creepy ass voice.

The teams genuine reaction when Gaz pulls out a book on the helicopter and starts reading is fucking insane. “Reading?” Ghost comments, wide eyed and sounding astonished. “I mean, the flight will be long. Might as well” He says, shrugging. “You’ve gotta be kiddin’, Gaz.” Soap scans Gaz’s eyes, looking for any humor in them. None. He was completely serious?? “Well, nothin wrong with a bit of reading, yeah boys?” Captain Price reads the room—“..You guys seriously don’t read? Ever?” “Why the fuck would we read-“ they both chirp in unison.

Captain Price is either over dressed or under dressed for the occasion. Why are you wearing a suit at Christmas dinner…And why are you wearing shorts and a Metallica shirt to church…Sometimes Gaz helps him dress so that he won’t look out of place. Has to take him out shopping since he’s rarely in normal clothes, I mean he’s got his gear and a civilian outfit (STRICTLY a civilian outfit.), maybe four shirts, a few pairs of shorts, three pairs of jeans, and a pair of sweatpants. Which wasn’t exactly bad, but for church that just will not do, Captain!!!

Soap has no social anxiety. He’s loud when he laughs, talking with random men at the bar, telling his story to some guy named Daniel who he just met 13 minutes ago. Which for the record, Daniel thinks Soap is fucking awesome. Holy shit dude, you’re a special op? Yeah that’s not something you see everyday. Him and Daniel now meet at the bar a few times per week when Soap is given the green light to do so.

[cntarella]

Okay, so more cogent thoughts on Nosferatu (2024):

It was a very middling movie in everything except the costuming, set design, and art direction — which were top notch. I also give it props for the great lighting, i.e. being one of the few movies set mostly in the night where you can actually see what's going on. Eggers and Blaschke really used light and shadow extremely well in a few scenes, thinking here in particular of that one shot of Ellen (i.e. Lily Rose Depp) on the bed with the side profile of her shadow on the pillow and that ending shot of Von Franz (i.e. Willem Dafoe) illuminated in the mirror that were genuinely such beautiful, artistic frames. Visually, great movie. But visuals can't make up for a script and a cast that were stilted as all hell.

First of all, the screenplay itself was trying way too hard. No one spoke in a particularly convincing way — everything was long monologues, diatribes really, that were meant to be ominous and add to the gothic atmosphere. But it was pure narration, nothing left to the actual interpretation of the other storytelling elements to convey horror. Instead of letting the atmosphere carry the mood, it relied so much on telling us "btw this is the horrifying thing happening, this is why it is horrifying" and genuinely felt like they didn't think people would understand...what was essentially a very basic story. Where tf is the dude that wrote The Lighthouse??? This cannot be the same man.

Second, the acting. Or the lack of acting!!! At least on the part of Lily Rose Depp. This woman cannot act, I'm sorry. The people who praise her for this role, I'm asking: did we see the same movie? This woman cannot modulate her voice beyond two slightly differentiated tones, and same goes for her facial expressions. Dead delivery for a floundering script, and considering she was most of the movie, made for an incredibly boring 2 hours. I will say, she did some great body acting but that's probably the only thing she did with any sort of panache. The rest felt too committed to showing her off in the sexiest waif girl light that it could, rather than actually making use of her as an actress.

She and her castmates had no chemistry either, especially between her and Nicholas Hoult and Bill Skarsgard. I'm supposed to believe this woman's husband would traverse the snowy mountains of Transylvania with nothing but a coat and a horse to get back to her after THE most sexless kisses??? I'm supposed to believe that Nosferatu was enticed by her "passion" and her dead-eyed impression of romance???

Speaking of sex scenes, there were a few in the movie that were just so bad. Lily Rose Depp making the same pornhub "uh uh uh" moans during ALL of these scenes, with little change in delivery or intonation. And I do mean "uh uh uh," it was embarrassingly bad and not just because the sex itself was badly simulated by her partners.

And then there's Nosferatu himself. What a disappointment. I wanted something grotesque, I wanted something fun. We kept getting teased about Bill Skarsgard's "horrific transformation" but like. It was a bald cap and a coat. It was a prosthetic nose. The most grotesque thing about him was being...emaciated? Slightly deformed? Kinda middle aged looking? I don't know that we saw enough of him to really be able to judge his acting on this particular film, but imo he did a better job as Pennywise than in this role. It was just the most mid monster one could potentially want to fuck, unbelievably mid.

The "gore" people kept warning about was very very light, very standard for a horror movie and not even the most grotesque in recent memory (First Omen still had this beat by a long long long shot in terms of actual grotesquerie). Some frontal nudity that was nothing to write home about. But at least there were 2,000 rats. At least we had that.

2.5/5 stars

[bjfinn]

GHOST IN THE MUSEUM

"Beetlejuice"/"Deadbeat"/"School of Rock" crossover

(Beej's monster form inspired by the artwork of @stinkyhorsebitch)

"A dinosaur??? "

"Yeah," the voice on the other end said. "Well, I don't really know what else to call it."

"Maybe you should call Animal Control," Pac replied. "I don't know nothing about dinosaurs."

"You handle ghosts and shit, right? This thing's gotta be some kind of spirit -- I mean, dinosaurs are extinct. And I don't think this ... whatever it is was ever a real animal in the first place."

"Uh, yeah -- so I've heard. A-about dinosaurs, I mean."

"So can you help me?"

Pac sighed. "Yeah, I'll come take a look. Wait -- it's not like ... fifty feet tall, is it?"

"No -- six and a half, maybe seven feet tall. And, uhh ... it's wearing ... booty shorts."

"Booty shorts?"

"Uh, yeah -- black-and-white-striped booty shorts. And it's got green hair like ... like a horse's mane. And big, uh ... boobs -- like a fat guy."

Beej, Pac said to himself. He sighed. "I'll be right there."

He hung up and dialled Dewey's number. "Did you know about this?" he asked when his friend answered.

"Know about what?"

"Beej is at the museum -- he's a dinosaur."

"Wh-what? What are you talking about?"

"Apparently your 'brother' decided to take the initiative -- he's there right now, scaring the crap outta the night watchman and the museum director!"

"You sure it's him?"

"He's wearing black-and-white-striped booty shorts. You know any other spirits with the same taste in fashion?"

"Jeez, that fuckin' asshole!" Dewey swore. "Okay, okay -- gimme ten minutes to get dressed and get to your place."

*****

Pac and Dewey stared in amazement -- their buddy had become a ... the only word either of them could think of was beast. His head was rather canine in appearance, with sharp teeth and glowing green eyes in the dark purplish fur, and on either side of the jaw were three fat, black-and-white-striped tentacle-things.

Beej's body was covered with fur -- dark purplish on the back that striped the lighter mauve on the sides and front, and as the night watchman had told Pac, there was a horse's mane of green hair running halfway down his back. His front paws bore razor sharp talons of pale green, and his back ones had cloven hooves. His tail was a thick slab of muscle.

And he did indeed have big man-boobs and wore booty shorts that showed both his bulge and his rump to best advantage.

When Beej saw Pac and Dewey he grinned -- well, he opened his maw and flicked his purple-striped tongue at his buddies.

"Hey, guys!" he rumbled. "Good to see you! Glad you could make it!"

Pac grabbed the "dino" by the foreleg. "What the fuck are you doing?" he hissed. "I thought we decided that our first gig would be something small, like a house -- not the freakin' American Museum of Natural History! "

"Hey, go big or go home, I always say," came the reply as the demon returned to his usual human form.

"Jeez, Beej!" Dewey said. "A heads-up woulda been nice! How'd you know Pac'd get the call, anyway?"

"The night watchman was watching that show you were on -- "PopChat". Must've recorded it. So you woulda been the first guy he'd think of!"

Pac was surprised. "He was watching the show? Man, I didn't think anybody watched local daytime talk shows, much less record 'em to watch later!" He looked at Beej. "Did you see any of it? How did I look? I was kinda nervous at first, but I tried to keep it together."

"You looked hot," the demon told him.

"Beej," Dewey said, frowning.

"And that guy Jimmy's hot, too!"

"Beej!" Dewey snapped. "Focus!"

"Okay, okay!" Beej said. "You don't have to get mad! Jeez! Can't a guy appreciate another guy without it being a big deal?"

"This isn't about that, and you know it!" Dewey shot back. "I don't give a fuck about that! What I do care about is you going off half-cocked without telling us!"

"Oh, and you're so freakin' perfect, aren't you? Mister Schneebley! I saw a chance and took it -- just like you did! Pot, kettle, black! So there! " And he stuck his tongue out at Dewey, who raised his fist threateningly.

"Guys!" Pac roared. "Knock it off!" When the two of them had settled down, he said, "All right. We're here now -- let's just do this and get it over with. I gotta open up the newsstand in the morning."

"It's showtime!" Beej grinned, and once again transformed into the raptor-like beast.

"Hey," Pac said, "what's with the booty shorts, anyway?"

"I had to make sure you knew it was me," the demon dino replied. "I thought about just having the stripes on my body, but I figured that was too ambiguous." He turned around, modelling the shorts. "Whaddya think? Do they make my ass look fat?"

"Your ass is fat," Dewey chuckled.

"So's yours," Beej replied affably.

"Is everything okay?" the director called from the end of the corridor.

"Uh, yeah," Pac called back. "We're just, uh ... just setting up our equipment!" He looked at his two companions. "Okay ... now what?"

Dewey turned on Beej again. "See? This is why we need a plan, dumbass!"

Beej stuck his tongue out at his friend. "Just follow my lead!" he growled.

"What are you gonna --" Pac began, but the demon had already vanished.

Dewey heaved a sigh. "Let's go find him," he said.

"You know," Pac commented, "I blame you for this."

"Me??? How is this my fault?"

"If you weren't friends with him I wouldn't have to deal with him."

Dewey chuckled. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

They started down the corridor to the dino room, figuring that was where Beej would most likely be. There was a loud, screeching roar followed by a crash, and they ran in to see the demon beast perched astride the fallen T-rex, biting the fossil skeleton's neck. At the sound of their entrance his head whipped up, and he fixed them with a predatory gaze that sent shivers down their spines.

I'm sure glad real dinosaurs are extinct, Dewey thought.

The demon leapt down from the T-rex and came towards them, the hooves on his hind legs clicking against the tiles. When he was no more than five feet away he stopped and hissed loudly.

Dewey nearly shit his pants. The demon craned his neck toward him and sniffed. "Ohh, fuck!" Dewey whispered. "Beej! I-it's me -- Dewey! Your brother -- remember? Oh, God -- please please please remember ..."

The demon's tongue snaked out and playfully licked Dewey's cheek. "Relax!" Beej said, smiling as much as his bestial form would allow. "I know who you are -- you're my buddy! I'm just havin' a bit of fun!"

"You fuckin' ASSHOLE! " Dewey roared. "You scared the SHIT outta me! "

Instantly Beej returned to his human form. His hair was purple, and his face was a study in regret. "I-I'm sorry," he said.

Dewey grabbed him and hugged him fiercely, the two of them laughing and crying simultaneously. "I ... I thought ... I thought you'd lost yourself," Dewey said.

Pac watched them, smiling ruefully. They really are brothers, he thought. He cleared his throat. "We better get started," he said. "Beej, what's your plan?"

"Just follow my lead and make it look good," the demon replied. "And don't forget, I'm still me." He resumed his beast-form and let out a bloodcurdling screech.

"Uh, okay -- let's get rid of this thing!" he said loudly, in case the night watchman was nearby. "Uh ... Ex-Lax ego Pompeii!"

Dewey looked at him in confusion.

"What? I don't know any actual Latin, okay? Besides, it's just for show."

Dewey nodded. "Okay, uhh ... Marie Kondo ex ad hoc senator!"

Beej screeched again, and he spun around and took off running down the corridor.

"Julius Caesar!" Pac shouted as they headed after him.

"Uh ... um ... Feliz Navidad!" Dewey yelled.

Pac looked at him. "That's not Latin!"

"It's close enough!" Dewey replied.

They'd arrived at the entry hall, where Beej had the museum director and the night watchman trapped under the front desk.

"All right," Pac said. "Let's finish this!" And he raised both hands. "Caveat emptor! Ad astra per aspera!"

Beej played his part, screeching and writhing in pretend agony as flames began to lick at his feet.

"Adeste fideles!" Dewey shouted.

Beej wailed as the tongues of fire travelled rapidly up his legs and over his fur, consuming him, his slit-pupilled eyes glaring at them the entire time. Just before he vanished the demon winked at them.

*****

They reunited at Dewey's apartment, where he and Pac split the take between them. Beej, of course, had no need of money.

"Two and a half grand each!" Dewey said. "Not bad!" He looked at Pac, and then at Beej. "I feel kinda bad, though -- I mean, it's a lot of money for a fake exorcism."

"Hey!" Beej said. "Don't go soft on me, bro!"

"I'm not! It's just --"

"Yeah," Pac nodded. "I kinda feel the same way."

"Oh, jeez!" Beej moaned. "Listen to you two! Look, think of it as ... like gettin' paid for a good performance. Like actors."

"Except we're the only ones who know we were acting," Dewey pointed out.

"Dewey's right," Pac said. "We ... we can't keep it."

Beej scowled. "Well, you can't give it back -- that'll just get you guys in trouble."

"Okay, look," Dewey said. "Uhh ... how 'bout we just keep what we need? We can ... I don't know ... give the rest to charity, or something?"

"Hey, that's a great idea!" Pac grinned.

Beej rolled his eyes, sighing loudly. "Fine. You guys do what you want with the money -- all I care about is keeping up with my demon skills!" He looked at both of them in turn. "So ... what's our next target?"

[drkmgs]

Tyler's Sibling

Chapter 2

pairings: Wednesday Addams x Reader Galpin

Warning: injured arm, scar, pain, sibling issues...

Story type: series

previous chapter next chapter

Remember this story? Yeah? It's been sitting in my drafts for months, and finally, I found a way to continue it. There are definitely more chapters to come, but I still have to empty my drafts...

Stay tuned!

Kissing your brother's crush wasn't on your bucket list and if he finds out about it, he will give you hell. It's not like he hated you already. It was shocking news when he showed up today for his shift at the Weathervane. As for your luck, today is also Outreach day which means you will have Nevermore students to help out there. You thought your day couldn't get worse, but it did. Xavier Thorpe is assigned to help you out. Great. Now you're stuck with two imbeciles who despise each other and have an oddly obsession with Wednesday.

You were at the counter but you could feel the tension between the two guys and you weren't in the mood to stop them from attacking each other. You have probably more problems to deal with than them. You hear the Weathervane's door open and Wednesday Addams enters.

Xavier: I thought you were supposed to be at Pilgrim World.

Wednesday: I deserted it while my sanity was still intact.

Xavier: Oh yeah? You want a coffee? It’s one of the many perks of this wonderful assignment.

He tried to be smug and leaned against the counter, but Wednesday brushed him off.

Wednesday: I'm actually here for Tyler.

Xavier: I told you he was bad news.

Wednesday: Twice. But who I speak to is my business.

He's mood shifted and was no longer leaning on the counter. It was hard not to laugh at Xavier, but you had to keep your cool. You weren't eavesdropping, they were just talking loud enough for you to hear.

Tyler: You rang? Want the usual?

Wednesday: and some help. You know the original pilgrim meeting house, the one from the 1600s? You know if it’s still around?

Tyler: What’s left is out in Cobham Woods, but it’s pretty much a ruin.

Wednesday: Show me.

Wednesday took a map out of her bag and lay it flat on the table next to them. Your brother hesitant pointed at the location, where the ruins might be.

Tyler: Uh…There, but, look, it’s kind of sketchy. Squatters and meth heads use that place as a crash pad. My dad has it cleared out every couple weeks. What’s this about?

Wednesday: Nothing.

Tyler: You’re becoming obsessed with this monster in the woods thing.

Wednesday: Would you rather I develop an obsession with horses and boy bands? Thank you for the help.

She was about to leave when your brother offered his assistance.

Tyler: Hey, listen, the ruins are kind of tricky to find. I could take you this afternoon. My shift ends at 2:00.

Seriously, you had enough of these shenanigans. You passed by them and clean some of the tables that were left unattended. You forgot about your scar and pulled up your sleeves to not get them dirty. Sure at this point, everyone's eyes were on you. Wednesday's eyebrows furrowed at the sight and were quick to stand beside you. You felt her cold hand against your wrist, just like your first encounter, but this time she didn't go into an epileptic state. However, she did stare at your scar and examined it. She's been so caught up with the investigation that she almost forgot the vision about you. She was snapped out of her thoughts when you pulled your arm away from her, pushed your sleeve back down, and continued to clean the rest of the table.

You ignored her, pushing the curiosity about the kiss back into your mind, and went to clean more tables. All three of them just followed your actions with their gaze and after a minute Wednesday was out of the caféhouse. You sighed heavily when you see her walk out from the Weathervane into the streets. You turn around to return the used coffee mug but was met with Xavier's face inches away from yours.

Y/N: The fuck, dude.

You lean back and looked at him with furrowed eyebrows. You don't know if he trying to send you something telepathically or is searching for something on your face. You slightly pushed him away, so you could pass by him, but what he said made you stop on your tracks.

Xavier: Wednesday hates physical touch. You're the first person I've ever seen Wednesday touched. What did you do? Did you get powers overnight or what?

You turned around and raised an eyebrow at him.

Y/N: Is this jealousy talking to me? Well, I am sorry that Ms. Wednesday Addams didn't pay attention to you and found my scar far ahead interesting than your lame-ass flirting. If I got powers overnight, you'll be the first one to know.

You left him with that and marched back behind the counter to get the cups cleaned. You were about to rinse them when your scar started to sting awfully painful. You dropped the cup which alerted Xavier who was still standing where you left him, that's when you realized your brother was nowhere to be seen. When did he sneak out? How did he sneak out? He's going to be in so much trouble, you thought, but that's for later on because you're almost on the ground hanging onto the sink to keep your composure, it didn't help with the pain dragging you down. You can see Xavier staring at you with worry and don't know what to do look.

Y/N: Help me sit on the ground, you imbecile!

You snapped at him for just standing there and not helping you to sit down, but you were glad to snap him out of his trance, and he gently helped you sit down on the ground. You cling onto your arm for dear life and prayed that the pain stops any minute now. Xavier can see your limped arm shaking and that you were in real pain.

Xavier: Shit. Don't you have any medication?

You shook your head, still clinging onto your arm, you almost banged your head against the wall, because of the pain. Then you both heard the door open and close.

:Mr. Thrope. Where's Tyler and Y/N?

You hear your father's voice and walk up to the counter. You were about to call him, but the pain beats you to it and you let out a painful groan. That's when you see him rushing past Xavier and sitting next to you. He pulled you in his arms and tried to console you.

Donovan: It's going to be alright. You're going to be fine. I have got you. Xavier, Where is Tyler for God's sake?!

Xavier was about to answer him. When your brother emerged from behind him with shock on his face. Xavier and Sheriff Galpin had their eyebrows furrowed at him. Sheriff Galpin was ready to curse the fuck out of him for leaving his sibling alone, but he felt you relaxed in his arms, and he knew you'll pass out for holding the pain for too long. Sheriff Galpin sighed.

Donovan: Tyler, you stay here until closing hours. I'm bringing Y/N home. Give me their coat.

Tyler passed him your coat. He put it over you to cover the unconscious you and carried you out of the caféhouse into his truck. This didn't go unnoticed by a Wednesday Addams, who was drenched in rain. She watched Sheriff Galpin drive away with furrowed eyebrows. As she enters the Weathervane, she finds Tyler and Xavier in a discussion.

Xavier: How can you not know what is happening to your sibling? Their arm was shaking uncontrollably and they passed out because of pain!

Tyler: Stop pestering me! I don't know what you're talking!

Wednesday: Y/N passed out? When was that?

Wednesday interjected their discussion. Xavier turned to her.

Xavier: You're drenched.

Wednesday: Answer my question.

Xavier: Uh like 10-15 minutes ago?

With that information, Wednesday left the Weathervane. She had a lot of questions in her mind and the only one who can answer them is you. The visions she had. You getting attacked by the same monster that saved her. You passed out while the monster showed up in front of her. Are you and this monster connected by any chance? She needs to know.

taglist:

@lukam8 @shygirl1925 @maria-403 @smromanoff

[chongmiz]

I heard I can fo it with a broken heart on the radio

And aside from the chorus being kinda awkward (I'm so depressed I act like it my birTHHHdaayyyyyYY)

I think this whole 'i sold you a lie you think I'm doing well but I'm not but I'm killing it so I'm a #girlboss try come for my job' is so embarassing

Because everything shes done over this last year I've thought 'theres a woman doing real bad'

Like I'm not trying to dispute the effort and energy that goes into touring like she does, but a lot of her decisions both professional and personally have made me think uh oh

Its giving 'could a depressed person do this?' But it's about dating the worst men on the planet and looking like shes going to cry on stage half the time

💌 come talk to me, a veteran swiftie in the anti- tag in the same way that martin luther still thought himself catholic

where i land with it lyrically is in conversation with four songs: "mirrorball" from folklore, "nothing new" from red TV, and two other ttpd tracks, "who's afraid of little old me" and "clara bow"

per the long pond sessions, she wrote "mirrorball" partially about COVID's effect on touring ("and they called off the circus, burned the disco down / when they sent home the horses and the rodeo clowns"). pair that with the much discussed WAOLOM asylum line and... it might be because she says "circus," it might be that while i have no personal experience of involuntary hospitalization i Do have basic empathy, but i think of the two great blond celebrity memoirs of the last few years: britney spears' the woman in me and jeannette mccurdy's i'm glad my mom died. which is all to say, she doesn't Have to do it with a broken heart! actually! "the asylum where they raised me" sounds like her pursuit of fame was coerced by say, a stage mom or an abusive contract or monetary need (it wasn't), if she was in an urgent health crisis like ICDIWABH suggests ("even when you wanna die"), she has all the power to postpone or cancel dates. she's not in a conservatorship, she's not being Made to tour; i can imagine feeling obligated to pay the hundreds of people it employs, but she is an actual billionaire, i think she can afford blue cross blue shield PPO plans for a militia. you can interpret "all the pieces of me shattered while the crowd was chanting 'more!'" as resenting the audience, but there's other performers in smaller venues with less freedom and power who need to be onstage to afford food. idk.

then there's the "try and come for my job:" extremely vague as to who is coming for it, and the popular reading is of other pop stars on tour. "clara bow" is my favorite track on ttpd by a long shot in part because it feels like a more mature version of "nothing new;" it's a little kinder to the ingenue and seems to respect her predecessors, recognize that She was the ingenue once, but it does not match up to her actual conduct in public. this is where i become very asian, but besides her being uhhh... pretty drunk at the grammys this year, i think her behavior is more a symptom of white american culture as egoistic and ahistorical—this is the kamala harris "you think you fell out of a coconut tree" meme, yes, but more broadly my complaint is filial piety. acting up in front of the likes of celine dion and tracy chapman and joni mitchell, especially on a night that celebrates all three of them, is absolutely unacceptable to me. they're your elders, they paved the path you're on (nothing new: "she'll know the way, and then she'll say she got the map from me"), but her teenage fans who've never heard any other music don't know or accept that she Isn't actually the progenitor of acclaimed women singer-songwriters

she wants to be seen as a "cool big sister" mentor to younger pop girls or boosting indie acts like boygenius, but afaik she herself hasn't shared the stage with an older female musician since alanis morrissette as a surprise guest on the 1989 tour. sure, she showed up to induct carole king to the rock 'n roll hall of fame, with a solo stage. but as much as people first cringed at luke combs' "fast car" cover, he acquitted himself with his grammy performance. there is true reverence there. if taylor brings stevie nicks (who wrote a poem?? for the ttpd physical editions) onstage at some point soon, i'll Maybe start to believe she doesn't see women over 40 as piles of dust she's either embarrassed to stand near Or, you know, who expose that she did not in fact fall out of a coconut tree, and have more stage presence sitting down than she does in sequins